Page:Twilight Hours (1868).djvu/215

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A SONG OF DRAGONS.

[Gregory. ]

ALL-conquering dragons ! creep over the streets
Which the city hath reared in the pride of her power;
Beslime then with ruin, befoul them with heats,
Let them lie in the dust as the things of an hour.
All-conquering dragons ! creep over the youths
As they wrestle with Fate, and are vanquished and thrown ;
With hissing of facts and of palpable truths
Let the burden of life to their souls be made known.

All-conquering dragons ! creep over the old ;
Let them loosen the grasp that hath strengthened their days ;
Their wisdom die out, as a dream that is told,
And the works of their life turn to frivolous plays.