Note 53 — Chapter III · ROMA NOVA
Reading edition
This tragic event is vividly pictured by the poet Shelley when in his lyrical drama, Hellas, he sings:
A chasm As of two mountains, in the wall of Stamboul; And in that ghastly breach the Islamites, Like giants on the ruins of a world, Stand in the light of sunrise. In the dust Glimmers a kingless diadem, and one Of regal part has cast himself beneath The stream of war. Another proudly clad In golden arms spurs a Tartarian barb Into the gap, and with his iron mace Directs the torrent of that tide of men. And seems—he is—Mohamet.