The tap'ring pyramid, the Egyptian's pride,
And wonder of the world, whose spiky top
Has wounded the read more

The tap'ring pyramid, the Egyptian's pride,
And wonder of the world, whose spiky top
Has wounded the thick cloud.

Gold once out of the earth is no more due unto it; what was
unreasonably committed to the ground, read more

Gold once out of the earth is no more due unto it; what was
unreasonably committed to the ground, is reasonably resumed from
it; let monuments and rich fabricks, not riches, adorn men's
ashes.

I have reared a memorial more enduring than brass, and loftier
than the regal structure of the pyramids, which read more

I have reared a memorial more enduring than brass, and loftier
than the regal structure of the pyramids, which neither the
corroding shower nor the powerless north wind can destroy; no,
not even unending years nor the flight of time itself. I shall
not entirely die. The greater part of me shall escape oblivion.
[Lat., Exegi monumentum aera perennius
Regalique situ pyramidum altius,
Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens
Possit diruere aut innumerabilis
Annorum series et fuga temporum.
Non omnis moriar, multaque pars mei
Vitabit Libitinam.]

Their monument sticks like a fishbone
in the city's throat.

Their monument sticks like a fishbone
in the city's throat.

Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.--
This grave shall have a living monument.
An hour read more

Good Gertrude, set some watch over your son.--
This grave shall have a living monument.
An hour of quiet shortly shall we see;
Till then in patience our proceeding be.

But monument themselves memorials need.

But monument themselves memorials need.

The need has gone; the memorial thereof remains.
[Lat., Factum abiit; monumenta manent.]

The need has gone; the memorial thereof remains.
[Lat., Factum abiit; monumenta manent.]

Where London's column, pointing at the skies,
Like a tall bully, lifts the head and lies.

Where London's column, pointing at the skies,
Like a tall bully, lifts the head and lies.

Let it rise! let it rise, till it meet the sum in his coming;
let the earliest light of read more

Let it rise! let it rise, till it meet the sum in his coming;
let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and the parting
day linger and play on its summit.