XXXVI.

Alas for thee, fair Greece! when Asia pour’d Her fierce fanatics to Byzantium’s wall; When Europe sheath’d, in apathy, her sword, And heard unmoved the fated city’s call. No bold crusaders ranged their serried line Of spears and banners round a falling throne; And thou, O last and noblest Constantine![25] Didst meet the storm unshrinking and alone. Oh! blest to die in freedom, though in vain-- Thine empire’s proud exchange the grave, and not the chain!