Final answer:
The scene described is one of sorrow due to the ruin of a once-prosperous city, a common theme in historical accounts and literature which evokes strong emotional responses, and is often associated with a call for restoration and cultural preservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scene of sorrow and weeping described by the sources reflects the ruin of a once-prosperous city. Such destruction, the aftermath of war or conflict, leads to the loss of homes, lives, and monuments that once stood as symbols of a city's grandeur. Historical figures like Mehmed II and Scipio Africanus have been noted in history to express lament for the devastation of cities they conquered or witnessed in ruin. This sorrow can drive leaders into self-imposed exile, as seen with kings or figures of authority, and is a source of pathos, evoking pity and fear among the audience.
Such scenes of destruction carry with them not only the physical loss but also the erosion of values, community, and culture, significantly impacting the society's spirit and well-being. Johnson's discourse highlights the contemporary concern over urban decay and the need for cultural change to restore cities and communal values. Whether in historical accounts, literature, or modern societal discourse, the degradation of urban centers carries a universal resonance of sorrow.