 | The battle of Niagara |  |
Their hearts would swell and they would rise—
And stand erect with flashing eyes—
And toss their arms unconsciously—
And join the shout of victory!
And when the summons died away,
Like battle at the close of day,
Would feel—as they had been in fight,
And wearied with their deeds of might:
Would stand entranced—or start, and seem
As bursting from a stormy dream:
Or gaze with troubled air around,
And wonder whence that trumpet sound!
And whither it had flown!—or hear
The tumult yet—distinct and clear—
Now pealing far—now ringing near,
And rattling on the startled ear!
As if a host had stooped from heaven
Upon the winds that blow at night;
And all their harps and trumps had given
A farewell to departing light!
And stand erect with flashing eyes—
And toss their arms unconsciously—
And join the shout of victory!
And when the summons died away,
Like battle at the close of day,
185
And wearied with their deeds of might:
Would stand entranced—or start, and seem
As bursting from a stormy dream:
Or gaze with troubled air around,
And wonder whence that trumpet sound!
And whither it had flown!—or hear
The tumult yet—distinct and clear—
Now pealing far—now ringing near,
And rattling on the startled ear!
As if a host had stooped from heaven
Upon the winds that blow at night;
And all their harps and trumps had given
A farewell to departing light!
| The battle of Niagara | |