And Harold stands upon this place of skulls,

The grave of France, the deadly Waterloo![hb]

How in an hour the Power which gave annuls

Its gifts, transferring fame as fleeting too!—

In "pride of place" here last the Eagle flew, [1.B.]

Then tore with bloody talon the rent plain,[hc]

Pierced by the shaft of banded nations through;

Ambition's life and labours all were vain—

He wears the shattered links of the World's broken chain.[hd]