midnight
STANZAS O'er Ilion 's plains , where once the warrior bled , And once the poet rais 'd his deathless strain , O'er Ilion 's plains a weary driver led His stately camels : For the ruin 'd fane Wide round the lonely scene his glance he threw , For now the red cloud faded in the west , And twilight o'er the silent landscape drew Her deep ' ning veil ; eastward his course he prest : There , on the grey horizon 's glimm ' ring bound , Rose the proud columns of deserted Troy , And wandering shepherds now a shelter found Within those walls , where princes wont to joy . Beneath a lofty porch the driver pass 'd , Then , from his camels heav 'd the heavy load ; Partook with them the simple , cool repast , And in short vesper gave himself to God . From distant lands with merchandise he came , His all of wealth his patient servants bore ; Oft deep-drawn sighs his anxious wish proclaim To reach , again , his happy cottage door ; For there , his wife , his little children , dwell ; Their smiles shall pay the toil of many an hour : Ev 'n now warm tears to expectation swell , As fancy o'er his mind extends her pow ' r . A death-like stillness reign 'd , where once the song , The song of heroes , wak 'd the midnight air , Save , when a solemn murmur roll 'd along , That seem 'd to say -- `` for future worlds prepare . '' For Time 's imperious voice was frequent heard Shaking the marble temple to its fall , -LRB- By hands he long had conquer 'd , vainly rear 'd -RRB- , And distant ruins answer 'd to his call . While Hamet slept , his camels round him lay , Beneath him , all his store of wealth was piled ; And here , his cruse and empty wallet lay , And there , the flute that chear 'd him in the wild . The robber Tartar on his slumber stole , For o'er the waste , at eve , he watch 'd his train ; Ah !