So an age ended, and its last deliverer died br In bed, grown idle and unhappy; they were safe: br The sudden shadow of a giant's enormous calf br Would fall no more at dusk across their lawns outside. br br They slept in peace: in marshes here and there no doubt br A sterile dragon lingered to a natural death, br But in a year the spoor had vanished from the heath: br A kobold's knocking in the mountain petered out. br br Only the scupltors and the poets were half sad, br And the pert retinue from the magician's house br Grumbled and went elsewhere. The vanished powers were glad br br To be invisible and free; without remorse br Struck down the sons who strayed in their course, br And ravished the daughters, and drove the fathers mad.