Grave Zoroaster waves the circling wand, The sage Chaldæans, robed in white, appeared,[41] And Brachmans, deep in desert woods revered.[42] 100 These stopped the moon, and called th' unbodied shades To midnight banquets in the glimm'ring glades; Made visionary fabrics round them rise, And airy spectres skim before their eyes;[43] Of talismans and sigils knew the pow'r, 105 And careful watched the planetary hour.[44] Superior, and alone, Confucius stood,[45] Who taught that useful science, to be good. But on the South, a long majestic race Of Egypt's priests the gilded niches grace, 110 Who measured earth, described the starry spheres, And traced the long records of lunar years.[46] High on his car, Sesostris struck my view, Whom sceptered slaves in golden harness drew: His hands a bow and pointed jav'lin hold;[47] 115 His giant limbs are armed in scales of gold.[48] Between the statues obelisks were placed, And the learn'd walls with hieroglyphics graced.[49] Of Gothic structure was the Northern side,[50] O'erwrought with ornaments of barb'rous pride: 120 There huge Colosses rose, with trophies crowned, And Runic characters were graved around. There sat Zamolxis with erected eyes,[51] And Odin here in mimic trances dies.[52] There on rude iron columns, smeared with blood,[53] 125 The horrid forms of Scythian heroes stood, Druids and bards[54] (their once loud harps unstrung), And youths that died to be by poets sung. These, and a thousand more, of doubtful fame, To whom old fables gave a lasting name, 130 In ranks adorned the temple's outward face; The wall in lustre and effect like glass, Which o'er each object casting various dyes, Enlarges some, and others multiplies:[55] Nor void of emblem was the mystic wall, 135 For thus romantic Fame increases all. The temple shakes, the sounding gates unfold,[56] Wide vaults appear, and roofs of fretted gold:[57] Raised on a thousand pillars, wreathed around With laurel-foliage, and with eagles crowned: 140 Of bright transparent beryl were the walls,[58] The friezes gold, and gold the capitals: As heav'n with stars, the roof with jewels glows, And ever-living lamps depend in rows.[59] Full in the passage of each spacious gate, 145 The sage historians in white garments wait;[60] Graved o'er their seats the form of Time was found, His scythe reversed, and both his pinions bound. Within stood heroes, who through loud alarms In bloody fields pursued renown in arms. 150 High on a throne with trophies charged, I viewed