The splendid Hall is blazing with many a glowing light,
And a spirit-like effulgence mild, a flood of glory bright,
Flows round the stately pillars, nor dimly dies away
In the arched roof of solid stone, but there each golden ray
Shines with a brightened splendour, a radiance rich and fair,
And then falls amid the palace vast, and lightens up the air,
Till the atmosphere around is one continuous flow
Of streaming lustre, brilliant light, and liquid topaz glow.
All beneath this gorgeousness there sits a chosen band
Of genius high and courage bold: the noblest of the land.
The feast is spread, and brightly the purple juice doth shine
In the yellow gold magnificent: the sparkling generous wine!
And all between the thunders of patriotic cheers
Is heard the sounding orchestra, while the inspiring tears
Of a rich southern vineyard are quaffed to wish the health
Of some most noble warrior fierce, a nation's power and wealth.
And then arises slowly an orator of might
And pours a flood of eloquence upon this festal night.
The gentle stream flows dimpling 'mong rhetoric's bright flowers,
Poises in wild sublimity on eagle's wing-high towers;
And lost amid the cloudy curtains of his might,
Far beyond the common ken his spirit has taken flight.
For awhile he dwells in glory within the solemn veil,
Then returns upon the smoother seas of beauty fair to sail.
The scene this night is joyous within these palace walls,
But ere ten passing centuries are gone these lofty halls
May stand in darksome ruin: these stately pillars high
May echo back far other sounds than those which sweetly fly
Among their light bold arches, and mingling softly rise
In a wild enchanting melody, which tremulously dies;
The yell of the hyena, the bloody-tiger's howl,
May be heard in this magnificence, mixed with the lion's growl;
While in the cold pale moonlight may stand the ruins grey,
These marble columns mouldering, and gladness fled away!