University of Virginia Library

Search this document 

collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
 1. 
 2. 
 3. 
 4. 
 5. 
 6. 
 7. 
 8. 
 9. 
 10. 
 11. 
 12. 
 13. 
 14. 
 15. 
 16. 
 17. 
 18. 
 19. 
 20. 
 21. 
 22. 
 23. 
 24. 
 25. 
 26. 
 27. 
 28. 
 29. 
 30. 
XXX.
 31. 
 32. 
 33. 

XXX.

The morn is broke in the downy east,
And the bright red star of the dawn is free;
For the raven descends on the dead to feast,
And the vulture is whetting his beak by the sea.
They cleave their curve in the charnal air,
As they circle around on the wayward wind;
And their fellows glide by the banquet there,

139

As they rustle their wings to the rest behind.
They are gathering now on the battle plain,
As they flap their wings on the recent dead,
For they rove about on the tombless slain,
Like the night seawaves when the day is fled.
And the wolf is fat, and the jackal's cry
Is heard no more in the forest dim,
For the vulture picks out the soulless eye,
As they tear him limbless, limb by limb!
But they need not fight, for the flesh is free,
And their sated gorge should forbid them war—
They should dwell in peace and satiety,
For the morning breaks on the hills afar.