Note 15.
Ye smiled on banquets of despair.
Many instances of such banquets, given and shared by persons resolved upon death, might be adduced from ancient history. That of Vibius Virius, at Capua, is amongst the most memorable.
Note 16.
Yon dome, the lode-star of all eyes.
For a minute description of the marbles, jaspers, and porphyries, employed in the construction of St. Sophia, see The Decline and Fall, &c, vol. vii. p. 120.
Note 17.
Nor is the balmy air of dayspring torn
With battle-sounds, &c.
The assault of the city took place at day-break, and the Turks were strictly enjoined to advance in silence, which had also been commanded, on pain of death, during the preceding night. This circumstance is finely alluded to by Miss Baillie, in her tragedy of Constantine Palæologus:—
