Ephesus

And where stands Ephesus, in days gone by
Pride of the East, Ionia's radiant eye,
Boasting the shrine to famed Diana reared,
Earth's wonder called, that myriad hearts revered?
There spreads Selinus' lake beneath the hill,
And flows unchanged the Cayster's willow'd rill;
These speak the city near — through waving grass,
O'er blackened stones, we slowly labouring pass;
Across our way the timid leveret springs;
Woke from his sleep, the snake uncoils his rings.
No street we tread, but climb a grass-grown mound —
What! is this Ephesus that moulders round?
Th' embattled walls that swept o'er Lepre's side,
To shapeless ruin crushed, have stooped their pride.