IMPERIAL city, slumb'ring on the throne br Of vanished empire, once thy voice and hands br Rocked the wide world; thy finger wove the lands br Into thy girdle; who for crown alone br Didst wear the stars. Yet still in undertone br 5 br Man hears thy deathless utterance, tho' Time's sands br Roll centuries; thou clasp'st the earth with bands br Of speech, art, law, and subtle powers unknown. br Thou wast not meant to die; thy mighty heart br Pulsed with the universe. Thy deeds of old br 10 br Flame like the sunset skies thro' clouds which throng; br They blazon on thy throne a name apart br In red of mighty victories, in gold br Of all things valorous and great and strong.