 | The battle of Niagara |  |
She knew the dreadful reason why
He dwelt upon the sunset sky;
For once as they together stood
Above the torrent and the wood;
In breathless—sunny solitude—
To see the ruddy clouds of even
Go blushing o'er the vault of heaven:
The richest—warmest—loveliest scene
That had for many an autumn been:—
There came a sullen labouring sound,
As if an earthquake rose around:
The minstrel uttered one low cry
Of sudden—thrilling agony—
And clasped his hands with look of fire—
And threw away his antique lyre—
And caught the maiden to his heart,
And bore her down the hill!
Oh, who may now the strength impart
To check that madman's will!
He dwelt upon the sunset sky;
For once as they together stood
Above the torrent and the wood;
In breathless—sunny solitude—
To see the ruddy clouds of even
Go blushing o'er the vault of heaven:
The richest—warmest—loveliest scene
That had for many an autumn been:—
There came a sullen labouring sound,
As if an earthquake rose around:
The minstrel uttered one low cry
Of sudden—thrilling agony—
And clasped his hands with look of fire—
And threw away his antique lyre—
And caught the maiden to his heart,
And bore her down the hill!
Oh, who may now the strength impart
To check that madman's will!
| The battle of Niagara | |