Robert Ferguson - Heliopolis lyrics

Art's infant home, and learning's earliest school, The world's great college, mystic wisdom's shrine, Seat of the king-priest's more than regal rule, Fair city of the sun! and what of thine Remains to tell how glorious, how divine Thy temples rose? one solitary stone Surviving, a memorial and a sign, Still points to him for whom thy temples shone: Pause here! it is holy ground whereon we stand-- The Virgin with her Offspring, when she fled From Herod's fury, laid her weary head Beneath yon reverend tree--with gentle hand, Ah! touch these frail traditions--for they shed A ray round many a spot that else were drear and dread.