 | Landmarks and other poems |  |
47
CONFLAGRATION.
I.
Playing with little children on the hearth,An hour ago—
With fitful mirth
Their gentle eyes were lighted—lo! the Flame,
Like a lithe Fairy, to their fancies came,
Whispering whispers low!
II.
All sleep. The harmless Fairy wakes and chasesAcross the floor, and from the darkness crawls,
Clambering up the walls,
And looks into the children's sleeping faces;
Now through the window shines
On the dew-burden'd vines;
48
Aloof,
Upon the roof!
The city sleeps.
It waves its myriad hands,
And laughs and dances, a maniac lost from bands!
III.
The scared bells ring!—All sleepers, wakening, start
With fluttering heart!
Look! the gigantic Thing
The unimprison'd Fury, tosses high
Bloodiest arms against the frighten'd sky,
O'er streets that glare with men! Midnight gives way
To the flame-cradled day!
White Fear and red Confusion mingle cries:
“Arise! arise!
49
The hearth-born Terror keeps its hurrying march,
The world aghast before, the clouds its victory-arch,
(The Larés on their altars die,
The wives and children fly:)
And ashes are its fame!
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