Tamerlane

...

Look 'round thee now on Samarcand!

Is not she queen of Earth? her pride

Above all cities? in her hand

Their destinies? in all beside

Of glory which the world hath known

Stands she not nobly and alone?

Falling- her veriest stepping-stone

Shall form the pedestal of a throne-

And who her sovereign? Timour- he

Whom the astonished people saw

Striding o'er empires haughtily

A diadem'd outlaw!

...

Edgar Allan Poe