The walls grew weak; and fast and hot

Against them poured the ceaseless shot, 160

With unabating fury sent

From battery to battlement;

And thunder-like the pealing din[oj]

Rose from each heated culverin;

And here and there some crackling dome

Was fired before the exploding bomb;

And as the fabric sank beneath

The shattering shell's volcanic breath,

In red and wreathing columns flashed

The flame, as loud the ruin crashed, 170

Or into countless meteors driven,

Its earth-stars melted into heaven;[ok]

Whose clouds that day grew doubly dun,

Impervious to the hidden sun,

With volumed smoke that slowly grew[ol]

To one wide sky of sulphurous hue.