 | Imaginary Sonnets |  |
69
TILLY TO SPIRITS OF CARNAGE.
(1631.)
Ye Spirits of Destruction, that have flocked
From every quarter of the lurid sky,
To see the flames of Magdeburg outvie
Each other's rage, till Hell's own glare was mocked:
From every quarter of the lurid sky,
To see the flames of Magdeburg outvie
Each other's rage, till Hell's own glare was mocked:
Join in my train, as through these gates that locked
God's vengeance out, I ride exultingly,
And goad my steed through embers fetlock high,
And thicker death than had an earthquake rocked!
God's vengeance out, I ride exultingly,
And goad my steed through embers fetlock high,
And thicker death than had an earthquake rocked!
Rise up, thou roar of slaughter and despair;
Rise up, thou smoke, in curls of tawny gray;
Rise up, thou scent of death, and fill the air;
Rise up, thou smoke, in curls of tawny gray;
Rise up, thou scent of death, and fill the air;
Rise to God's ears and nostrils all to-day;
And rise again wherever man shall dare
To split Christ's Church in two, or shake her sway!
And rise again wherever man shall dare
To split Christ's Church in two, or shake her sway!
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