The Grizzly Giant

By George Sterling

Long, long ago, in unremembered years,
  Before a stone was cut for Babylon,
  You lifted singing branches to the sun:
Now Babylon is gone, and all her spears.
Tyre was, and still your elder column rears
  Where the great winds of the sierra run—
  Standing as many nations are undone
And Time forgets the glories and the tears.

Soundless, the Shadow crept upon the throne,
  As yours upon the centuries in flight,
    Dial of empires and their eventide!
And long before the mummy's wheat was grown
  Arcturus has gone over in the night,
    Hidden by rains that fell ere Priam died.
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