Poems

THE GIANT IN GLEE

("Ho, guerriers! je suis né dans le pays des Gaules.")

{V., March 11, 1825.}

 
     Ho, warriors! I was reared in the land of the Gauls;
     O'er the Rhine my ancestors came bounding like balls
     Of the snow at the Pole, where, a babe, I was bathed
     Ere in bear and in walrus-skin I was enswathed.
 
 
     Then my father was strong, whom the years lowly bow, —
     A bison could wallow in the grooves of his brow.
     He is weak, very old – he can scarcely uptear
     A young pine-tree for staff since his legs cease to bear;
 
 
     But here's to replace him! – I can toy with his axe;
     As I sit on the hill my feet swing in the flax,
     And my knee caps the boulders and troubles the trees.
     How they shiver, yea, quake if I happen to sneeze!
 
 
     I was still but a springald when, cleaving the Alps,
     I brushed snowy periwigs off granitic scalps,
     And my head, o'er the pinnacles, stopped the fleet clouds,
     Where I captured the eagles and caged them by crowds.
 
 
     There were tempests! I blew them back into their source!
     And put out their lightnings! More than once in a course,
     Through the ocean I went wading after the whale,
     And stirred up the bottom as did never a gale.
 
 
     Fond of rambling, I hunted the shark 'long the beach,
     And no osprey in ether soared out of my reach;
     And the bear that I pinched 'twixt my finger and thumb,
     Like the lynx and the wolf, perished harmless and dumb.
 
 
     But these pleasures of childhood have lost all their zest;
     It is warfare and carnage that now I love best:
     The sounds that I wish to awaken and hear
     Are the cheers raised by courage, the shrieks due to fear;
 
 
     When the riot of flames, ruin, smoke, steel and blood,
     Announces an army rolls along as a flood,
     Which I follow, to harry the clamorous ranks,
     Sharp-goading the laggards and pressing the flanks,
     Till, a thresher 'mid ripest of corn, up I stand
     With an oak for a flail in my unflagging hand.
 
 
     Rise the groans! rise the screams! on my feet fall vain tears
     As the roar of my laughter redoubles their fears.
     I am naked. At armor of steel I should joke —
     True, I'm helmed – a brass pot you could draw with ten yoke.
 
 
     I look for no ladder to invade the king's hall —
     I stride o'er the ramparts, and down the walls fall,
     Till choked are the ditches with the stones, dead and quick,
     Whilst the flagstaff I use 'midst my teeth as a pick.
 
 
     Oh, when cometh my turn to succumb like my prey,
     May brave men my body snatch away from th' array
     Of the crows – may they heap on the rocks till they loom
     Like a mountain, befitting a colossus' tomb!
 

Foreign Quarterly Review (adapted)

THE CYMBALEER'S BRIDE

("Monseigneur le Duc de Bretagne.")

{VI., October, 1825.}

 
     My lord the Duke of Brittany
         Has summoned his barons bold —
     Their names make a fearful litany!
     Among them you will not meet any
         But men of giant mould.
 
 
     Proud earls, who dwell in donjon keep,
         And steel-clad knight and peer,
     Whose forts are girt with a moat cut deep —
     But none excel in soldiership
         My own loved cymbaleer.
 
 
     Clashing his cymbals, forth he went,
         With a bold and gallant bearing;
     Sure for a captain he was meant,
     To judge his pride with courage blent,
         And the cloth of gold he's wearing.
 
 
     But in my soul since then I feel
         A fear in secret creeping;
     And to my patron saint I kneel,
     That she may recommend his weal
         To his guardian-angel's keeping.
 
 
     I've begged our abbot Bernardine
         His prayers not to relax;
     And to procure him aid divine
     I've burnt upon Saint Gilda's shrine
         Three pounds of virgin wax.
 
 
     Our Lady of Loretto knows
         The pilgrimage I've vowed:
     "To wear the scallop I propose,
     If health and safety from the foes
         My lover be allowed."
 
 
     No letter (fond affection's gage!)
         From him could I require,
     The pain of absence to assuage —
     A vassal-maid can have no page,
         A liegeman has no squire.
 
 
     This day will witness, with the duke's,
         My cymbaleer's return:
     Gladness and pride beam in my looks,
     Delay my heart impatient brooks,
         All meaner thoughts I spurn.
 
 
     Back from the battlefield elate
         His banner brings each peer;
     Come, let us see, at the ancient gate,
     The martial triumph pass in state —
         With the princes my cymbaleer.
 
 
     We'll have from the rampart walls a glance
         Of the air his steed assumes;
     His proud neck swells, his glad hoofs prance,
     And on his head unceasing dance,
         In a gorgeous tuft, red plumes!
 
 
     Be quick, my sisters! dress in haste!
         Come, see him bear the bell,
     With laurels decked, with true love graced,
     While in his bold hands, fitly placed,
         The bounding cymbals swell!
 
 
     Mark well the mantle that he'll wear,
         Embroidered by his bride!
     Admire his burnished helmet's glare,
     O'ershadowed by the dark horsehair
         That waves in jet folds wide!
 
 
     The gypsy (spiteful wench!) foretold,
         With a voice like a viper hissing.
(Though I had crossed her palm with gold),
     That from the ranks a spirit bold
         Would be to-day found missing.
 
 
     But I have prayed so much, I trust
         Her words may prove untrue;
     Though in a tomb the hag accurst
     Muttered: "Prepare thee for the worst!"
         Whilst the lamp burnt ghastly blue.
 
 
     My joy her spells shall not prevent.
         Hark! I can hear the drums!
     And ladies fair from silken tent
     Peep forth, and every eye is bent
         On the cavalcade that comes!
 
 
     Pikemen, dividing on both flanks,
         Open the pageantry;
     Loud, as they tread, their armor clanks,
     And silk-robed barons lead the ranks —
         The pink of gallantry!
 
 
     In scarfs of gold the priests admire;
         The heralds on white steeds;
     Armorial pride decks their attire,
     Worn in remembrance of some sire
         Famed for heroic deeds.
 
 
     Feared by the Paynim's dark divan,
         The Templars next advance;
     Then the tall halberds of Lausanne,
     Foremost to stand in battle van
         Against the foes of France.
 
 
     Now hail the duke, with radiant brow,
         Girt with his cavaliers;
     Round his triumphant banner bow
     Those of his foe. Look, sisters, now!
         Here come the cymbaleers!
 
 
     She spoke – with searching eye surveyed
         Their ranks – then, pale, aghast,
     Sunk in the crowd! Death came in aid —
     'Twas mercy to that loving maid —
         The cymbaleers had passed!
 

"FATHER PROUT" (FRANK S. MAHONY)

BATTLE OF THE NORSEMEN AND THE GAELS

("Accourez tous, oiseaux de proie!")

{VII., September, 1825.}

 
     Ho! hither flock, ye fowls of prey!
     Ye wolves of war, make no delay!
     For foemen 'neath our blades shall fall
     Ere night may veil with purple pall.
     The evening psalms are nearly o'er,
       And priests who follow in our train
       Have promised us the final gain,
     And filled with faith our valiant corps.
 
 
     Let orphans weep, and widows brood!
     To-morrow we shall wash the blood
     Off saw-gapped sword and lances bent,
     So, close the ranks and fire the tent!
     And chill yon coward cavalcade
       With brazen bugles blaring loud,
       E'en though our chargers' neighing proud
     Already has the host dismayed.
 
 
     Spur, horsemen, spur! the charge resounds!
     On Gaelic spear the Northman bounds!
     Through helmet plumes the arrows flit,
     And plated breasts the pikeheads split.
     The double-axe fells human oaks,
       And like the thistles in the field
       See bristling up (where none must yield!)
     The points hewn off by sweeping strokes!
 
 
     We, heroes all, our wounds disdain;
     Dismounted now, our horses slain,
     Yet we advance – more courage show,
     Though stricken, seek to overthrow
     The victor-knights who tread in mud
       The writhing slaves who bite the heel,
       While on caparisons of steel
     The maces thunder – cudgels thud!
 
 
     Should daggers fail hide-coats to shred,
     Seize each your man and hug him dead!
     Who falls unslain will only make
     A mouthful to the wolves who slake
     Their month-whet thirst.  No captives, none!
       We die or win! but should we die,
       The lopped-off hand will wave on high
     The broken brand to hail the sun!
 

MADELAINE

("Ecoute-moi, Madeline.")

 

{IX., September, 1825.}

 
     List to me, O Madelaine!
     Now the snows have left the plain,
         Which they warmly cloaked.
     Come into the forest groves,
     Where the notes that Echo loves
         Are from horns evoked.
 
 
     Come! where Springtide, Madelaine,
     Brings a sultry breath from Spain,
       Giving buds their hue;
     And, last night, to glad your eye,
     Laid the floral marquetry,
       Red and gold and blue.
 
 
     Would I were, O Madelaine,
     As the lamb whose wool you train
       Through your tender hands.
     Would I were the bird that whirls
     Round, and comes to peck your curls,
       Happy in such bands.
 
 
     Were I e'en, O Madelaine,
     Hermit whom the herd disdain
       In his pious cell,
     When your purest lips unfold
     Sins which might to all be told,
       As to him you tell.
 
 
     Would I were, O Madelaine,
     Moth that murmurs 'gainst your pane,
       Peering at your rest,
     As, so like its woolly wing,
     Ceasing scarce its fluttering,
       Heaves and sinks your breast.
 
 
     If you seek it, Madelaine,
     You may wish, and not in vain,
       For a serving host,
     And your splendid hall of state
     Shall be envied by the great,
       O'er the Jew-King's boast.
 
 
     If you name it, Madelaine,
     Round your head no more you'll train
       Simple marguerites,
     No! the coronet of peers,
     Whom the queen herself oft fears,
       And the monarch greets.
 
 
     If you wish, O Madelaine!
     Where you gaze you long shall reign —
       For I'm ruler here!
     I'm the lord who asks your hand
     If you do not bid me stand
       Loving shepherd here!
 

THE FAY AND THE PERI

("Où vas-tu donc, jeune âme.")

{XV.}

THE PERI

 
     Beautiful spirit, come with me
     Over the blue enchanted sea:
       Morn and evening thou canst play
     In my garden, where the breeze
     Warbles through the fruity trees;
       No shadow falls upon the day:
     There thy mother's arms await
     Her cherished infant at the gate.
     Of Peris I the loveliest far —
     My sisters, near the morning star,
     In ever youthful bloom abide;
     But pale their lustre by my side —
     A silken turban wreathes my head,
     Rubies on my arms are spread,
     While sailing slowly through the sky,
     By the uplooker's dazzled eye
     Are seen my wings of purple hue,
     Glittering with Elysian dew.
       Whiter than a far-off sail
         My form of beauty glows,
       Fair as on a summer night
       Dawns the sleep star's gentle light;
         And fragrant as the early rose
       That scents the green Arabian vale,
         Soothing the pilgrim as he goes.
 
 
     THE FAY.
 
 
     Beautiful infant (said the Fay),
       In the region of the sun
     I dwell, where in a rich array
     The clouds encircle the king of day,
       His radiant journey done.
     My wings, pure golden, of radiant sheen
       (Painted as amorous poet's strain),
     Glimmer at night, when meadows green
       Sparkle with the perfumed rain
       While the sun's gone to come again.
     And clear my hand, as stream that flows;
       And sweet my breath as air of May;
       And o'er my ivory shoulders stray
       Locks of sunshine; – tunes still play
     From my odorous lips of rose.
 
 
     Follow, follow! I have caves
     Of pearl beneath the azure waves,
     And tents all woven pleasantly
     In verdant glades of Faëry.
     Come, belovèd child, with me,
     And I will bear thee to the bowers
     Where clouds are painted o'er like flowers,
     And pour into thy charmed ear
     Songs a mortal may not hear;
       Harmonies so sweet and ripe
       As no inspired shepherd's pipe
       E'er breathed into Arcadian glen,
       Far from the busy haunts of men.
 
 
     THE PERI.
 
 
     My home is afar in the bright Orient,
     Where the sun, like a king, in his orange tent,
     Reigneth for ever in gorgeous pride —
       And wafting thee, princess of rich countree,
       To the soft flute's lush melody,
     My golden vessel will gently glide,
     Kindling the water 'long the side.
 
 
     Vast cities are mine of power and delight,
       Lahore laid in lilies, Golconda, Cashmere;
     And Ispahan, dear to the pilgrim's sight,
       And Bagdad, whose towers to heaven uprear;
       Alep, that pours on the startled ear,
     From its restless masts the gathering roar,
     As of ocean hamm'ring at night on the shore.
 
 
     Mysore is a queen on her stately throne,
       Thy white domes, Medina, gleam on the eye, —
         Thy radiant kiosques with their arrowy spires,
         Shooting afar their golden fires
           Into the flashing sky, —
     Like a forest of spears that startle the gaze
     Of the enemy with the vivid blaze.
 
 
     Come there, beautiful child, with me,
     Come to the arcades of Araby,
     To the land of the date and the purple vine,
     Where pleasure her rosy wreaths doth twine,
     And gladness shall be alway thine;
     Singing at sunset next thy bed,
     Strewing flowers under thy head.
       Beneath a verdant roof of leaves,
         Arching a flow'ry carpet o'er,
       Thou mayst list to lutes on summer eves
         Their lays of rustic freshness pour,
         While upon the grassy floor
       Light footsteps, in the hour of calm,
       Ruffle the shadow of the palm.
 
 
     THE FAY.
 
 
     Come to the radiant homes of the blest,
     Where meadows like fountain in light are drest,
     And the grottoes of verdure never decay,
     And the glow of the August dies not away.
     Come where the autumn winds never can sweep,
     And the streams of the woodland steep thee in sleep,
     Like a fond sister charming the eyes of a brother,
     Or a little lass lulled on the breast of her mother.
     Beautiful! beautiful! hasten to me!
     Colored with crimson thy wings shall be;
     Flowers that fade not thy forehead shall twine,
     Over thee sunlight that sets not shall shine.
 
 
     The infant listened to the strain,
     Now here, now there, its thoughts were driven —
       But the Fay and the Peri waited in vain,
       The soul soared above such a sensual gain —
     The child rose to Heaven.
 

Asiatic Journal

LES ORIENTALES. – 1829.
THE SCOURGE OF HEAVEN

("Là, voyez-vous passer, la nuée.")

{I., November, 1828.}

I

 
     Hast seen it pass, that cloud of darkest rim?
     Now red and glorious, and now gray and dim,
         Now sad as summer, barren in its heat?
     One seems to see at once rush through the night
     The smoke and turmoil from a burning site
         Of some great town in fiery grasp complete.
 
 
     Whence comes it? From the sea, the hills, the sky?
     Is it the flaming chariot from on high
         Which demons to some planet seem to bring?
     Oh, horror! from its wondrous centre, lo!
     A furious stream of lightning seems to flow
         Like a long snake uncoiling its fell ring.
 

II

 
     The sea! naught but the sea! waves on all sides!
     Vainly the sea-bird would outstrip these tides!
         Naught but an endless ebb and flow!
     Wave upon wave advancing, then controlled
     Beneath the depths a stream the eyes behold
         Rolling in the involved abyss below!
 
 
     Whilst here and there great fishes in the spray
     Their silvery fins beneath the sun display,
         Or their blue tails lash up from out the surge,
     Like to a flock the sea its fleece doth fling;
     The horizon's edge bound by a brazen ring;
         Waters and sky in mutual azure merge.
 
 
     "Am I to dry these seas?" exclaimed the cloud.
     "No!" It went onward 'neath the breath of God.
 

III

 
       Green hills, which round a limpid bay
         Reflected, bask in the clear wave!
       The javelin and its buffalo prey,
         The laughter and the joyous stave!
       The tent, the manger! these describe
       A hunting and a fishing tribe
       Free as the air – their arrows fly
       Swifter than lightning through the sky!
       By them is breathed the purest air,
         Where'er their wanderings may chance!
       Children and maidens young and fair,
         And warriors circling in the dance!
       Upon the beach, around the fire,
       Now quenched by wind, now burning higher,
       Like spirits which our dreams inspire
         To hover o'er our trance.
 
 
       Virgins, with skins of ebony,
         Beauteous as evening skies,
       Laughed as their forms they dimly see
         In metal mirrors rise;
       Others, as joyously as they,
       Were drawing for their food by day,
       With jet-black hands, white camels' whey,
         Camels with docile eyes.
 
 
       Both men and women, bare,
         Plunged in the briny bay.
       Who knows them? Whence they were?
         Where passed they yesterday?
       Shrill sounds were hovering o'er,
       Mixed with the ocean's roar,
       Of cymbals from the shore,
         And whinnying courser's neigh.
 
 
     "Is't there?" one moment asked the cloudy mass;
     "Is't there?" An unknown utterance answered: "Pass!"
 

IV

 
     Whitened with grain see Egypt's lengthened plains,
     Far as the eyesight farthest space contains,
         Like a rich carpet spread their varied hues.
     The cold sea north, southwards the burying sand
     Dispute o'er Egypt – while the smiling land
         Still mockingly their empire does refuse.
 
 
     Three marble triangles seem to pierce the sky,
     And hide their basements from the curious eye.
         Mountains – with waves of ashes covered o'er!
     In graduated blocks of six feet square
     From golden base to top, from earth to air
         Their ever heightening monstrous steps they bore.
 
 
     No scorching blast could daunt the sleepless ken
     Of roseate Sphinx, and god of marble green,
         Which stood as guardians o'er the sacred ground.
     For a great port steered vessels huge and fleet,
     A giant city bathed her marble feet
         In the bright waters round.
 
 
     One heard the dread simoom in distance roar,
     Whilst the crushed shell upon the pebbly shore
         Crackled beneath the crocodile's huge coil.
     Westwards, like tiger's skin, each separate isle
     Spotted the surface of the yellow Nile;
         Gray obelisks shot upwards from the soil.
 
 
     The star-king set. The sea, it seemed to hold
     In the calm mirror this live globe of gold,
         This world, the soul and torchbearer of our own.
     In the red sky, and in the purple streak,
     Like friendly kings who would each other seek,
         Two meeting suns were shown.
 
 
     "Shall I not stop?" exclaimed the impatient cloud.
     "Seek!" trembling Tabor heard the voice of God.
 

V

 
     Sand, sand, and still more sand!
     The desert! Fearful land!
      Teeming with monsters dread
     And plagues on every hand!
     Here in an endless flow,
     Sandhills of golden glow,
     Where'er the tempests blow,
       Like a great flood are spread.
     Sometimes the sacred spot
     Hears human sounds profane, when
     As from Ophir or from Memphre
       Stretches the caravan.
     From far the eyes, its trail
     Along the burning shale
     Bending its wavering tail,
       Like a mottled serpent scan.
     These deserts are of God!
       His are the bounds alone,
     Here, where no feet have trod,
       To Him its centre known!
     And from this smoking sea
     Veiled in obscurity,
     The foam one seems to see
       In fiery ashes thrown.
 
 
     "Shall desert change to lake?" cried out the cloud.
     "Still further!" from heaven's depths sounded that Voice aloud.
 

VI

 
     Like tumbled waves, which a huge rock surround;
     Like heaps of ruined towers which strew the ground,
         See Babel now deserted and dismayed!
     Huge witness to the folly of mankind;
     Four distant mountains when the moonlight shined
         Seem covered with its shade.
 
 
     O'er miles and miles the shattered ruins spread
     Beneath its base, from captive tempests bred,
         The air seemed filled with harmony strange and dire;
     While swarmed around the entire human race
     A future Babel, on the world's whole space
         Fixed its eternal spire.
 
 
     Up to the zenith rose its lengthening stair,
     While each great granite mountain lent a share
         To form a stepping base;
     Height upon height repeated seemed to rise,
     For pyramid on pyramid the strainèd eyes
         Saw take their ceaseless place.
 
 
     Through yawning walls huge elephants stalked by;
     Under dark pillars rose a forestry,
         Pillars by madness multiplied;
     As round some giant hive, all day and night,
     Huge vultures, and red eagles' wheeling flight
         Was through each porch descried.
 
 
     "Must I complete it?" said the angered cloud.
     "On still!" "Lord, whither?" groaned it, deep not loud.
 

VII

 
     Two cities, strange, unknown in history's page,
     Up to the clouds seemed scaling, stage by stage,
     Noiseless their streets; their sleeping inmates lie,
     Their gods, their chariots, in obscurity!
     Like sisters sleeping 'neath the same moonlight,
     O'er their twin towers crept the shades of night,
     Whilst scarce distinguished in the black profound,
     Stairs, aqueducts, great pillars, gleamed around,
     And ruined capitals: then was seen a group
     Of granite elephants 'neath a dome to stoop,
     Shapeless, giant forms to view arise,
     Monsters around, the spawn of hideous ties!
     Then hanging gardens, with flowers and galleries:
     O'er vast fountains bending grew ebon-trees;
     Temples, where seated on their rich tiled thrones,
     Bull-headed idols shone in jasper stones;
     Vast halls, spanned by one block, where watch and stare
     Each upon each, with straight and moveless glare,
     Colossal heads in circles; the eye sees
     Great gods of bronze, their hands upon their knees.
     Sight seemed confounded, and to have lost its powers,
     'Midst bridges, aqueducts, arches, and round towers,
     Whilst unknown shapes fill up the devious views
     Formed by these palaces and avenues.
     Like capes, the lengthening shadows seem to rise
     Of these dark buildings, pointed to the skies,
     Immense entanglement in shroud of gloom!
     The stars which gleamed in the empyrean dome,
     Under the thousand arches in heaven's space
     Shone as through meshes of the blackest lace.
     Cities of hell, with foul desires demented,
     And monstrous pleasures, hour by hour invented!
     Each roof and home some monstrous mystery bore!
     Which through the world spread like a twofold sore!
     Yet all things slept, and scarce some pale late light
     Flitted along the streets through the still night,
     Lamps of debauch, forgotten and alone,
     The feast's lost fires left there to flicker on;
     The walls' large angles clove the light-lengthening shades
     'Neath the white moon, or on some pool's face played.
     Perchance one heard, faint in the plain beneath,
     The kiss suppressed, the mingling of the breath;
     And the two sister cities, tired of heat,
     In love's embrace lay down in murmurs sweet!
     Whilst sighing winds the scent of sycamore
     From Sodom to Gomorrah softly bore!
     Then over all spread out the blackened cloud,
     "'Tis here!" the Voice on high exclaimed aloud.
 

VIII

 
     From a cavern wide
     In the rent cloud's side,
     In sulphurous showers
     The red flame pours.
     The palaces fall
       In the lurid light,
     Which casts a red pall
       O'er their facades white!
 
 
     Oh, Sodom! Gomorrah!
     What a dome of horror
     Rests now on your walls!
     On you the cloud falls,
     Nation perverse!
       On your fated heads,
     From its fell jaws, a curse
       Its lightning fierce spreads!
 
 
     The people awaken
       Which godlessly slept;
     Their palaces shaken,
       Their offences unwept!
     Their rolling cars all
       Meet and crash in the street;
     And the crowds, for a pall,
       Find flames round their feet!
 
 
     Numberless dead,
     Round these high towers spread,
     Still sleep in the shade
     By their rugged heights made;
     Colossi of rocks
     In ill-steadied blocks!
     So hang on a wall
     Black ants, like a pall!
 
 
     To escape is in vain
     From this horrible rain!
       Alas! all things die;
     In the lightning's red flash
     The bridges all crash;
     'Neath the tiles the flame creeps;
     From the fire-struck steeps
     Falls on the pavements below,
     All lurid in glow,
       Rolling down from on high!
 
 
     Beneath every spark,
       The red, tyrannous fire
     Mounts up in the dark
       Ever redder and higher;
     More swiftly than steed
       Uncontrolled, see it pass!
         Horrid idols all twist,
         By the crumbling flame kissed
     In their infamous dread,
       Shrivelled members of brass!
 
 
     It grows angry, flows on,
     Silver towers fall down
     Unforeseen, like a dream
     In its green and red stream,
     Which lights up the walls
     Ere one crashes and falls,
     Like the changeable scale
     Of a lizard's bright mail.
     Agate, porphyry, cracks
     And is melted to wax!
     Bend low to their doom
     These stones of the tomb!
     E'en the great marble giant
     Called Nabo, sways pliant
     Like a tree; whilst the flare
       Seemed each column to scorch
       As it blazed like a torch
     Round and round in the air.
 
 
     The magi, in vain,
     From the heights to the plain
     Their gods' images carry
       In white tunic: they quake —
       No idol can make
     The blue sulphur tarry;
     The temple e'en where they meet,
     Swept under their feet
     In the folds of its sheet!
     Turns a palace to coal!
     Whence the straitened cries roll
     From its terrified flock;
       With incendiary grips
     It loosens a block,
       Which smokes and then slips
     From its place by the shock;
       To the surface first sheers,
       Then melts, disappears,
     Like the glacier, the rock!
     The high priest, full of years,
     On the burnt site appears,
       Whence the others have fled.
     Lo! his tiara's caught fire
     As the furnace burns higher,
       And pale, full of dread,
     See, the hand he would raise
     To tear his crown from the blaze
       Is flaming instead!
 
 
     Men, women, in crowds
     Hurry on – the fire shrouds
       And blinds all their eyes
     As, besieging each gate
     Of these cities of fate
     To the conscience-struck crowd,
     In each fiery cloud,
       Hell appears in the skies!
 

IX

 
     Men say that then, to see his foe's sad fall
     As some old prisoner clings to his prison wall,
     Babel, accomplice of their guilt, was seen
     O'er the far hills to gaze with vision keen!
     And as was worked this dispensation strange,
     A wondrous noise filled the world's startled range;
     Reached the dull hearing that deep, direful sound
     Of their sad tribe who live below the ground.
 

X

 
     'Gainst this pitiless flame who condemned could prevail?
     Who these walls, burnt and calcined, could venture to scale?
         Yet their vile hands they sought to uplift,
     Yet they cared still to ask from what God, by what law?
     In their last sad embrace, 'midst their honor and awe,
         Of this mighty volcano the drift.
     'Neath great slabs of marble they hid them in vain,
     'Gainst this everliving fire, God's own flaming rain!
         'Tis the rash whom God seeks out the first;
     They call on their gods, who were deaf to their cries,
     For the punishing flame caused their cold granite eyes
         In tears of hot lava to burst!
     Thus away in the whirlwind did everything pass,
     The man and the city, the soil and its grass!
         God burnt this sad, sterile champaign;
     Naught living was left of this people destroyed,
     And the unknown wind which blew over the void,
         Each mountain changed into a plain.
 

XI

 
     The palm-tree that grows on the rock to this day,
     Feels its leaf growing yellow, its slight stem decay,
         In the blasting and ponderous air;
     These towns are no more! but to mirror their past,
     O'er their embers a cold lake spread far and spread fast,
         With smoke like a furnace, lies there!
 

J.N. FAZAKERLEY