The fronts of some, though time had shattered them,
Still glowing with the richest hues of art,

As though the wealth within them had run o'er.

ROGERS.

Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee,
And was the safeguard of the West: the worth
Of Venice did not fall below her birth,
Venice, the eldest child of Liberty.
She was a maiden city, bright and free;
No guile seduced, no force could violate;
And when she took unto herself a mate,
She must espouse the everlasting Sea.
And what she had seen those glories fade,
Those titles vanish, and that strength decay;
Yet shall some tribute of regret be paid
When her long life hath reached its final day:
Men are we, and must grieve when even the shade
Of that which once was great is passed away.

FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

(1300-1400.)

THE GERMAN EMPIRE in this century both loses and gains territory, without material change.

FRANCE is engaged in long wars with England, which, with varying success, lead finally to a great increase of the French dominion and territory.

ENGLAND, after several great victories, meets with heavy losses on French soil, and towards the close of the century her possessions on the Continent are reduced to a few cities.

The EASTERN EMPIRE loses ground rapidly under the encroachment of the Turks, both in Europe and Asia, and by the close of the century holds scarcely anything but Constantinople.

ITALY is still divided into independent commonwealths, which more and more fall under the power of princely families or tyrants. In the SPANISH PENINSULA there are few geographical changes in this century, but Spain is steadily consolidating into a great power. The OTTOMAN TURKS in this century press into Europe, and take from the Eastern Empire a great part of its possessions, besides acquiring the greater part of Asia Minor.

The three kingdoms of NORWAY, SWEDEN, and DENMARK are united toward the close of this century.

The SWISS CONFEDERATION is founded in 1308 by the union of three cantons; increased to eight cantons in 1353.

RUSSIA. The powerful Mogul dynasty within the dominion of Russia continues.

MOGUL EMPIRE. The great Mogul power of the last century comes to an end (except in Russia), being succeeded by the OTTOMAN TURKS (which see), and by the great dominion of TIMOUR THE TARTAR (Tamerlane).

TARTAR DOMINION. See above, under MOGUL EMPIRE.
TURKS. See above, under OTTOMAN TURKS.

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