XVIII.

And Harold stands upon this place of skulls, The grave of France, the deadly Waterloo![hb] How in an hour the Power which gave annuls Its gifts, transferring fame as fleeting too!-- In "pride of place" here last the Eagle flew,[1.B.] Then tore with bloody talon the rent plain,[hc] Pierced by the shaft of banded nations through; Ambition's life and labours all were vain-- He wears the shattered links of the World's broken chain.[hd]