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The Four Monarchies.
185
That having no Compeer, she might rule all,
Or else she fought revenge for Menon's fall.
Some think the Greeks this slander on her cast.
As on her life Licentious, and unchast.
That undeserv'd, they blur'd her name and same[1]
By[2] their aspersions, cast upon the fame:
But were her virtues more or less, or none,
She for her potency must go alone.
Her wealth she shew'd in building Babylon,
Admir'd of all, but equaliz'd of none;
The Walls so strong, and curiously was[3] wrought.
That after Ages, Skill by them was[3] taught:
With Towers and Bulwarks made of costly stone,
Quadrangle was the form it stood upon.
[73] Each Square was fifteen thousand paces long,
An hundred gates it had of mettal strong:
Three hundred sixty foot the walls in height,
Almost incredible, they were in breadth
Some[4] writers fay, fix Chariots might affront
With great facility, march safe upon't:
About the Wall a ditch so deep and wide.
That like a River long it did abide.
Three hundred thousand men here day by day
Bestow'd their labour, and receiv'd their pay.
And that which did all cost and Art excell.
The wondrous Temple was, she rear'd to Bell:
Or else she fought revenge for Menon's fall.
Some think the Greeks this slander on her cast.
As on her life Licentious, and unchast.
That undeserv'd, they blur'd her name and same[1]
By[2] their aspersions, cast upon the fame:
But were her virtues more or less, or none,
She for her potency must go alone.
Her wealth she shew'd in building Babylon,
Admir'd of all, but equaliz'd of none;
The Walls so strong, and curiously was[3] wrought.
That after Ages, Skill by them was[3] taught:
With Towers and Bulwarks made of costly stone,
Quadrangle was the form it stood upon.
[73] Each Square was fifteen thousand paces long,
An hundred gates it had of mettal strong:
Three hundred sixty foot the walls in height,
Almost incredible, they were in breadth
Some[4] writers fay, fix Chariots might affront
With great facility, march safe upon't:
About the Wall a ditch so deep and wide.
That like a River long it did abide.
Three hundred thousand men here day by day
Bestow'd their labour, and receiv'd their pay.
And that which did all cost and Art excell.
The wondrous Temple was, she rear'd to Bell:
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