The fall of Nineveh A poem by Edwin Atherstone. Second edition: diligently corrected, and otherwise improved. In two volumes |
 | I, II. |
|
| 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. | BOOK THE TWENTY-FIFTH. |
| 26. |
| 27. |
| 28. |
| 29. |
| 30. |
 | The fall of Nineveh |  |
235
BOOK THE TWENTY-FIFTH.
Far otherwise, within the Median camp,
Had passed the changeful night. In dreamless sleep,
Three portions had gone by: but, when the storm,
Like a wild beast awaked and ravenous,
Burst in its fury forth; and, cataract-like,
Came down the boiling rain,—wide flew all eyes,
From sleep even heaviest. With loud hiss expired
The deluged watch-fires; and in darkness deep
As of closed tomb, the affrighted sentries stood.
Had passed the changeful night. In dreamless sleep,
Three portions had gone by: but, when the storm,
Like a wild beast awaked and ravenous,
Burst in its fury forth; and, cataract-like,
Came down the boiling rain,—wide flew all eyes,
From sleep even heaviest. With loud hiss expired
The deluged watch-fires; and in darkness deep
As of closed tomb, the affrighted sentries stood.
What then to do, they knew not. With their spears
Planted in earth,—against the tempest, some,
Stood stiffly staggering: some, upon the ground
Hastily flung themselves; and some, driven on,
Reeling, and stumbling, fell. But, when heaven's fires
'Gan volley,—in the momentary blaze,
Uprooted tents they saw; faces of men
Looking aghast; and steeds, that from their stalls
Had broken,—in wild terror, o'er the plain
Headlong careering.
Planted in earth,—against the tempest, some,
Stood stiffly staggering: some, upon the ground
Hastily flung themselves; and some, driven on,
Reeling, and stumbling, fell. But, when heaven's fires
'Gan volley,—in the momentary blaze,
Uprooted tents they saw; faces of men
Looking aghast; and steeds, that from their stalls
Had broken,—in wild terror, o'er the plain
Headlong careering.
Thus, till dawned the day,
In darkness, and fierce light alternating;
In terror, and confusion, lay the host.
In darkness, and fierce light alternating;
In terror, and confusion, lay the host.
Nor, when the gloomy day-beam on them stole,
Much comfort brought it. Still, unbated, roared
The hurricane: still, with its mighty voice,
The thunder spake; with fires incessant, still
Heaven flamed; and the big clouds their deluge poured.
Much comfort brought it. Still, unbated, roared
The hurricane: still, with its mighty voice,
The thunder spake; with fires incessant, still
Heaven flamed; and the big clouds their deluge poured.
236
Save on that higher ground where camped the host,—
Far as the eye could see, o'er all the plain
The turbid waters spread. Majestic trees
Uprooted lay: the strong-winged eagle toiled
Vainly, that blast to face; then, screaming, turned;
And, on the pennons of the tempest borne,
Swift as the arrow leaves the clanging cord,
Shot onward, and was lost. Noon came; and night;
And still the storm raged on. Another morn,
And yet no change. Then in the hearts of most
Awoke despair: a second flood, they deemed
Was coming on the earth; and all alike
Surely must perish.
Far as the eye could see, o'er all the plain
The turbid waters spread. Majestic trees
Uprooted lay: the strong-winged eagle toiled
Vainly, that blast to face; then, screaming, turned;
And, on the pennons of the tempest borne,
Swift as the arrow leaves the clanging cord,
Shot onward, and was lost. Noon came; and night;
And still the storm raged on. Another morn,
And yet no change. Then in the hearts of most
Awoke despair: a second flood, they deemed
Was coming on the earth; and all alike
Surely must perish.
'Gainst the hurricane's wrath,
Dared few to stand: but, with unbating zeal,
From morn till night, amid the soldiers went
Their mighty leader; and with words of hope
Exhorted, and encouraged. In his hand,
For staff, a spear he bore; a lion's hide
Shielded his body. Wheresoe'er he went,
He carried comfort; for he taught the eye,
Beyond the blackness of the storm, to see
The glorious day of promise.
Dared few to stand: but, with unbating zeal,
From morn till night, amid the soldiers went
Their mighty leader; and with words of hope
Exhorted, and encouraged. In his hand,
For staff, a spear he bore; a lion's hide
Shielded his body. Wheresoe'er he went,
He carried comfort; for he taught the eye,
Beyond the blackness of the storm, to see
The glorious day of promise.
Of the chiefs,
Strove also some, the soldiers' hearts to cheer:
But most, by deep dejection were subdued:
Their arms were rusted, and their garments drenched;
Their limbs, with cold, and wet, were cramped, and stiff:
Food had they little,—for the driving rain
Pierced through the strongest tents; and nauseous made
All viands; nor, of fire, one spark could live.
Strove also some, the soldiers' hearts to cheer:
But most, by deep dejection were subdued:
Their arms were rusted, and their garments drenched;
Their limbs, with cold, and wet, were cramped, and stiff:
Food had they little,—for the driving rain
Pierced through the strongest tents; and nauseous made
All viands; nor, of fire, one spark could live.
Belesis only, when most fiercely raged
The tempest, most rejoiced; for now he saw
The immediate advent of the hour of wrath
Upon the guilty city. Day and night,
Still was his cry, “Behold! the hand of God,
At length, to do great wonders, is put forth.
Be of good heart, and fear not: for the time
Of your exulting cometh.”
The tempest, most rejoiced; for now he saw
The immediate advent of the hour of wrath
Upon the guilty city. Day and night,
Still was his cry, “Behold! the hand of God,
At length, to do great wonders, is put forth.
Be of good heart, and fear not: for the time
Of your exulting cometh.”
Three dark days,
Three dreadful nights, the hurricane had raged:
With the fourth morn it ceased. The soldiers, then,
Took courage; and with wine refreshed themselves:
And soon,—for through the night had fallen no rain,—
Fires kindled; and of savoury food partook;
Their garments dried; and cleansed from rust their arms.
Then, when the work was finished; and their limbs
New strength had gathered,—freely through the camp
They wandered; each the other questioning,
How he had fared; imparting each, in turn,
The tale of his own suffering. But with joy
Were all inspired; and expectation great
Of what should follow. Toward the city oft,
Marvelling, they looked; for, 'gainst the western wall,—
As on a sea-cliff when the storm is high,—
In foam and thunder dashed the furious waves
Of the o'erflooded river. Yet, no thought
Had they that, even before such dread assault,
The rock-like walls could shake. As eve drew on,
Again with food and wine were they made glad;
Then lay them down to sleep.
237
With the fourth morn it ceased. The soldiers, then,
Took courage; and with wine refreshed themselves:
And soon,—for through the night had fallen no rain,—
Fires kindled; and of savoury food partook;
Their garments dried; and cleansed from rust their arms.
Then, when the work was finished; and their limbs
New strength had gathered,—freely through the camp
They wandered; each the other questioning,
How he had fared; imparting each, in turn,
The tale of his own suffering. But with joy
Were all inspired; and expectation great
Of what should follow. Toward the city oft,
Marvelling, they looked; for, 'gainst the western wall,—
As on a sea-cliff when the storm is high,—
In foam and thunder dashed the furious waves
Of the o'erflooded river. Yet, no thought
Had they that, even before such dread assault,
The rock-like walls could shake. As eve drew on,
Again with food and wine were they made glad;
Then lay them down to sleep.
The king, meantime,
Safe in his strong-walled palace, at the storm
Laughed, and was glad. Each night, his sun-bright hall
Echoed the noisy banquet; and, each night,
More riotous became his mirth; more loud
His savage curses, boasts, and mockery.
“Rage on, rage on!” was still his impious cry;
“Pour down your waters, till the caitiffs drown,
And rot like vermin! Choke them with your blasts,
Ye roaring winds! ye lightnings, scorch their bones!
And ye, deep-throated thunders, bellow forth
A chorus for the dead! Rage on, rage on!
Soon will your work be done: the vulture, then,
The wild dog, and the wolf, shall tear their flesh;
And on the plain, a during monument
Of treason's fate, their whitening bones shall lie!”
Safe in his strong-walled palace, at the storm
Laughed, and was glad. Each night, his sun-bright hall
Echoed the noisy banquet; and, each night,
More riotous became his mirth; more loud
His savage curses, boasts, and mockery.
“Rage on, rage on!” was still his impious cry;
“Pour down your waters, till the caitiffs drown,
And rot like vermin! Choke them with your blasts,
Ye roaring winds! ye lightnings, scorch their bones!
And ye, deep-throated thunders, bellow forth
A chorus for the dead! Rage on, rage on!
Soon will your work be done: the vulture, then,
The wild dog, and the wolf, shall tear their flesh;
And on the plain, a during monument
Of treason's fate, their whitening bones shall lie!”
Thus he, insensate; even while o'er his head
The Avenging Arm was lifted to destroy.
The Avenging Arm was lifted to destroy.
238
On that fourth night, by their long sufferings worn,
Thirsting for sleep, the Median host lay down.
No fires were kindled; and no sentinels
Kept watch, unneeded now. The stillness deep,
Succeeding the wild hurly of the storm,—
Even as a mother's gentle song doth hush
The cradled babe,—soon lulled them to repose.
No eye of all the myriads was unclosed:
Throughout that spacious camp, of life appeared
No token; save, at intervals, the neigh
Of courser; or the murmuring tone of one
Talking in sleep.
Thirsting for sleep, the Median host lay down.
No fires were kindled; and no sentinels
Kept watch, unneeded now. The stillness deep,
Succeeding the wild hurly of the storm,—
Even as a mother's gentle song doth hush
The cradled babe,—soon lulled them to repose.
No eye of all the myriads was unclosed:
Throughout that spacious camp, of life appeared
No token; save, at intervals, the neigh
Of courser; or the murmuring tone of one
Talking in sleep.
But, had there been an eye
With lid unshut, an ear not locked in sleep,
Then, on the far horizon had been seen
The battling lightnings; over-head, the sweep
Of ponderous clouds, like breathless messengers
Hasting to tell that, with redoubled wrath,
The storm was coming: then, had well been heard
The gathering uproar of the turbulent flood,—
'Gainst the doomed city, as with ocean's might,
Hurling its deepening waters.
With lid unshut, an ear not locked in sleep,
Then, on the far horizon had been seen
The battling lightnings; over-head, the sweep
Of ponderous clouds, like breathless messengers
Hasting to tell that, with redoubled wrath,
The storm was coming: then, had well been heard
The gathering uproar of the turbulent flood,—
'Gainst the doomed city, as with ocean's might,
Hurling its deepening waters.
With a speed
Mocking the eagle's flight, the tempest came.
No rising breeze, to warn of its approach,—
At once, with fury uncontrollable,
O'er all the plain it burst. Anon, was heard
The rumbling of the thunder's iron wheels,
Upon the hurricane driving: thick as hail,
Came on the flood of lightnings. From their sleep
All started,—and, in wonder, left their tents,
To look on what was coming: for, so dire
The hurly of the elements,—it seemed
As, in her last great agony, the world
With death were struggling.
Mocking the eagle's flight, the tempest came.
No rising breeze, to warn of its approach,—
At once, with fury uncontrollable,
O'er all the plain it burst. Anon, was heard
The rumbling of the thunder's iron wheels,
Upon the hurricane driving: thick as hail,
Came on the flood of lightnings. From their sleep
All started,—and, in wonder, left their tents,
To look on what was coming: for, so dire
The hurly of the elements,—it seemed
As, in her last great agony, the world
With death were struggling.
Soon, upon the earth,
O'erthrown lay every tent; and, all aghast,
Gazing around, the countless myriads stood.
O'erthrown lay every tent; and, all aghast,
Gazing around, the countless myriads stood.
'Twas midnight; but a glare was on the sky,
That might have paled mid-noon. As though the sun,
Melting, had poured in showers of lightning down,—
Fell on the city the dense floods of fire.
All heaven seemed fire. Strange, and portentous clouds,
Like flaming mountains, flung by angry gods,—
Careered the sky; and, as with life instinct,
And keen for vengeance, scattered, as they flew,
Their blazing bolts. Yet fell no drop of rain:
Hot was that wind as from a lion's mouth,
Strong as a torrent. Few before its sweep
A moment stood; but, sinking on the ground,
In breathless awe looked on. Wall, palace, tower,
Of the great city,—'neath the incessant blaze,
Like iron in the hottest furnace glowed.
The river, in rough torrent rolling, shone
Like melted brass; and to the battlement
Dashed up its fiery foam.
That might have paled mid-noon. As though the sun,
239
Fell on the city the dense floods of fire.
All heaven seemed fire. Strange, and portentous clouds,
Like flaming mountains, flung by angry gods,—
Careered the sky; and, as with life instinct,
And keen for vengeance, scattered, as they flew,
Their blazing bolts. Yet fell no drop of rain:
Hot was that wind as from a lion's mouth,
Strong as a torrent. Few before its sweep
A moment stood; but, sinking on the ground,
In breathless awe looked on. Wall, palace, tower,
Of the great city,—'neath the incessant blaze,
Like iron in the hottest furnace glowed.
The river, in rough torrent rolling, shone
Like melted brass; and to the battlement
Dashed up its fiery foam.
As thus they gazed,
Behold! the earth beneath them, like a ship
By ocean's swell uplifted, slowly heaved;
Thundered within, and trembled,—as the hills,
When loosened rocks rush down. Some thought the towers
Nigh to the river shook: and eagerly
Thousands of fingers pointed. But again,
With yet a stronger lift the earthquake came:
And lo! the towers upon the western side,
Like trees before the tempest, rocked, and fell!
Through all its length,—like an enormous snake
Stirring in sleep,—the ponderous wall was seen
Slowly to writhe, and twist: then, suddenly,
Even as a giant in the pangs of death,
Shuddered convulsively: heaved, rolled, and reeled,—
As by a hand almighty and unseen,
From base to summit rocked:—bowed, broke, and fell,
Prone in the boiling flood!
Behold! the earth beneath them, like a ship
By ocean's swell uplifted, slowly heaved;
Thundered within, and trembled,—as the hills,
When loosened rocks rush down. Some thought the towers
Nigh to the river shook: and eagerly
Thousands of fingers pointed. But again,
With yet a stronger lift the earthquake came:
And lo! the towers upon the western side,
Like trees before the tempest, rocked, and fell!
Through all its length,—like an enormous snake
Stirring in sleep,—the ponderous wall was seen
Slowly to writhe, and twist: then, suddenly,
Even as a giant in the pangs of death,
Shuddered convulsively: heaved, rolled, and reeled,—
As by a hand almighty and unseen,
From base to summit rocked:—bowed, broke, and fell,
Prone in the boiling flood!
As from a cliff
Precipitous, in mid ocean, when the storm
Lashes the deep,—the mountainous waves recoil,
With noise of thunder; and, in clouds of foam
And spray, fly upward, higher than the mast
Of tallest ship,—even so,—beneath the stroke
Of that Titanic wall, down falling sheer,—
The turbulent flood, driven backward, gathered up
In one enormous wave; even in such cloud
Of spray and foam did the crushed water fly.
Precipitous, in mid ocean, when the storm
Lashes the deep,—the mountainous waves recoil,
With noise of thunder; and, in clouds of foam
240
Of tallest ship,—even so,—beneath the stroke
Of that Titanic wall, down falling sheer,—
The turbulent flood, driven backward, gathered up
In one enormous wave; even in such cloud
Of spray and foam did the crushed water fly.
Fearful the uproar of that overthrow,—
For, as with second earthquake, shook the ground,—
Yet, in the hideous bellowing of the wind,
Came but a feeble sound, as when, far off,
A sluggish billow rakes the pebbly beach.
For, as with second earthquake, shook the ground,—
Yet, in the hideous bellowing of the wind,
Came but a feeble sound, as when, far off,
A sluggish billow rakes the pebbly beach.
Of all the Median host who thereon gazed,
Stirred not a man; astonishment, and awe,
With a strange extacy conjoined, so held
Body and spirit still. Nor scarcely yet
Their senses could they trust. With eyes wide strained,
Eagerly gazed they In the rock-like wall,
A mighty gap they saw; through which, abreast,
Might thousands, horse, and foot, and chariots go.
They closed their eye-lids; opened them again;
And still was seen the same. With a fierce joy
Then 'gan their souls to kindle: for they knew
That retribution, now, indeed was sure;
And nigh at hand. Upon the tyranny,
Long-during, of that city,—on the blood
So lately, so inhumanly poured forth
By her detested ruler, did they think;
And thirsted for revenge.
Stirred not a man; astonishment, and awe,
With a strange extacy conjoined, so held
Body and spirit still. Nor scarcely yet
Their senses could they trust. With eyes wide strained,
Eagerly gazed they In the rock-like wall,
A mighty gap they saw; through which, abreast,
Might thousands, horse, and foot, and chariots go.
They closed their eye-lids; opened them again;
And still was seen the same. With a fierce joy
Then 'gan their souls to kindle: for they knew
That retribution, now, indeed was sure;
And nigh at hand. Upon the tyranny,
Long-during, of that city,—on the blood
So lately, so inhumanly poured forth
By her detested ruler, did they think;
And thirsted for revenge.
As though alone
To that dread work, the earthquake, and the storm,
Had been sent forth,—at once 'gan sink their rage:
Still earth's great pulse at times throbbed tremblingly;
Still flashed the lightning; still in heaven's deep vault
The thunder muttered: but, amid its pause,
One sound alone was heard,—the roar and dash
Of the impetuous river, and the boil
Of waters writhing 'mid the giant wreck.
To that dread work, the earthquake, and the storm,
Had been sent forth,—at once 'gan sink their rage:
Still earth's great pulse at times throbbed tremblingly;
Still flashed the lightning; still in heaven's deep vault
The thunder muttered: but, amid its pause,
One sound alone was heard,—the roar and dash
Of the impetuous river, and the boil
Of waters writhing 'mid the giant wreck.
Then did Belesis, with a prophet's fire,
His voice uplift. “Said I not truly, then,
‘The sky doth gather up its clouds to pour
Upon the guilty city?’ Said I not,
‘The long enduring walls shall be cast down?’
Foretold I not that fire should utterly
Consume her temples, and her palaces;
Yea, of yon haughty mistress of the earth,
Leave blackened ashes only? Look! behold!
Already have the flames their victim seized!
No bolt, chance-driven, hath kindled up yon fires.
Ye heard the thunder only; and ye felt
The earthquake; and ye saw the lightnings fall:
But I, in opened heaven beheld enthroned
The great avenging gods, when, from the clouds,
They in their anger smote. I saw their eyes
Bent on the city, as they grasped, and hurled
The burning bolts. The thunder was their voice,
Threating destruction. To the ground they looked;
Spake the dread word; and lo! the affrighted earth
Trembled, and quaked, and the strong wall fell down.
Trust in me then, when now again I say;
The fires that in yon city ye behold,
Never shall man put out, nor rain-flood quench.
The work by Fate decreed, shall never cease,
Till in one universal ruin lie
Temple, and palace, tower, and rock-like wall;
And Nineveh shall be a name alone,
A marvel, and a tale!”
His voice uplift. “Said I not truly, then,
‘The sky doth gather up its clouds to pour
241
‘The long enduring walls shall be cast down?’
Foretold I not that fire should utterly
Consume her temples, and her palaces;
Yea, of yon haughty mistress of the earth,
Leave blackened ashes only? Look! behold!
Already have the flames their victim seized!
No bolt, chance-driven, hath kindled up yon fires.
Ye heard the thunder only; and ye felt
The earthquake; and ye saw the lightnings fall:
But I, in opened heaven beheld enthroned
The great avenging gods, when, from the clouds,
They in their anger smote. I saw their eyes
Bent on the city, as they grasped, and hurled
The burning bolts. The thunder was their voice,
Threating destruction. To the ground they looked;
Spake the dread word; and lo! the affrighted earth
Trembled, and quaked, and the strong wall fell down.
Trust in me then, when now again I say;
The fires that in yon city ye behold,
Never shall man put out, nor rain-flood quench.
The work by Fate decreed, shall never cease,
Till in one universal ruin lie
Temple, and palace, tower, and rock-like wall;
And Nineveh shall be a name alone,
A marvel, and a tale!”
Vehémently
So cried he out: and still from place to place
Went on, the host inspiring: nor all night
His eyes could close: but on the gathering flames
Still looked exulting; still swift doom denounced
Against the guilty city.
So cried he out: and still from place to place
Went on, the host inspiring: nor all night
His eyes could close: but on the gathering flames
Still looked exulting; still swift doom denounced
Against the guilty city.
Great indeed
Was the rejoicing throughout all the camp.
Quickly they reared again their prostrate tents;
And many with the wine-cup would have passed
The hours of night: but, with a calmer soul,
Arbaces saw; and, with a serious mien,
Checked, and admonished them. “No time for mirth,
Nor for vain glorying. Surely not our might
These wondrous things hath done. In silent awe,
As in the immediate presence of the gods,
Thankful, and humble, rather, should we kneel,
In prayer and adoration. To our tents
Now let us go; and, every man apart,
Bow down and worship. Till the morning then,
In slumber, greatly needed, let us lie,
Our limbs to strengthen; for even yet, perchance,
Much toil must we endure. The hand of heaven
Hath now indeed a mighty gate thrown wide;
Nor bolt, nor bar, of human strength and skill,
Again can close it. But exult not yet:
In that wide breach, for many thousands still
Perchance death lies in wait. Yet, not the less,
Our way is clear: and, when the bated flood
Shall give us passage,—trusting in the gods,
Will we go on. Meantime, with hopeful mind,
Yet patiently, and thankful, let us wait.”
Was the rejoicing throughout all the camp.
Quickly they reared again their prostrate tents;
And many with the wine-cup would have passed
The hours of night: but, with a calmer soul,
Arbaces saw; and, with a serious mien,
Checked, and admonished them. “No time for mirth,
Nor for vain glorying. Surely not our might
242
As in the immediate presence of the gods,
Thankful, and humble, rather, should we kneel,
In prayer and adoration. To our tents
Now let us go; and, every man apart,
Bow down and worship. Till the morning then,
In slumber, greatly needed, let us lie,
Our limbs to strengthen; for even yet, perchance,
Much toil must we endure. The hand of heaven
Hath now indeed a mighty gate thrown wide;
Nor bolt, nor bar, of human strength and skill,
Again can close it. But exult not yet:
In that wide breach, for many thousands still
Perchance death lies in wait. Yet, not the less,
Our way is clear: and, when the bated flood
Shall give us passage,—trusting in the gods,
Will we go on. Meantime, with hopeful mind,
Yet patiently, and thankful, let us wait.”
Awhile throughout the camp was heard the hum
Of eager voices, and the tramp of feet,
To and fro hurrying: toward the city oft
A hand was pointed, when, with ruddier gleam,
The flames shot upward: as from far he smelt
The battle, loudly many a courser neighed,
And pawed the ground: but through the camp, at length,
Stole silence; and once more all soundly slept.
Of eager voices, and the tramp of feet,
To and fro hurrying: toward the city oft
A hand was pointed, when, with ruddier gleam,
The flames shot upward: as from far he smelt
The battle, loudly many a courser neighed,
And pawed the ground: but through the camp, at length,
Stole silence; and once more all soundly slept.
On that same night, Assyria's blinded king
Again, amid his thousand lords and chiefs,
Sat at the riotous feast. A wilder joy
Than e'er before possessed him; for he deemed
His empire steadfast as the eternal hills;
His foes as but a mist about their heads,
That soon must melt and vanish. Loud were heard
The clang of harp and timbrel; loud the voice
Of singers, choiring in triumphant song,—
Him lauding as a god. With pride inflamed,
Harsh was his laugh, and bitter was his mock,
At the long-dreaded foe. And when, at length,
With midnight woke again the terrible storm,—
To madness rose his savage merriment.
The lightning's glare made pale his blazing lamps;
Yet nought feared he, intoxicate,—but raised
In maniac glee his arms, as he would clutch,
And hurl upon his foes, the blasting bolts.
Great thunders shook the walls; the hurricane
Howled like a countless army of the damned:
Yet but the wilder, as they louder raged,
Became his extacy: for, in that din,
Nought heard he save the withering voice of Death,
Against his enemies.
Again, amid his thousand lords and chiefs,
Sat at the riotous feast. A wilder joy
Than e'er before possessed him; for he deemed
His empire steadfast as the eternal hills;
His foes as but a mist about their heads,
That soon must melt and vanish. Loud were heard
The clang of harp and timbrel; loud the voice
Of singers, choiring in triumphant song,—
Him lauding as a god. With pride inflamed,
Harsh was his laugh, and bitter was his mock,
243
With midnight woke again the terrible storm,—
To madness rose his savage merriment.
The lightning's glare made pale his blazing lamps;
Yet nought feared he, intoxicate,—but raised
In maniac glee his arms, as he would clutch,
And hurl upon his foes, the blasting bolts.
Great thunders shook the walls; the hurricane
Howled like a countless army of the damned:
Yet but the wilder, as they louder raged,
Became his extacy: for, in that din,
Nought heard he save the withering voice of Death,
Against his enemies.
From his seat, at last,
Upspringing,—to and fro, with rapid stride,
He paced the hall. The lords, astonished, saw
His frantic gestures, and his glaring eyes.
His crimsoned face, distended veins, and lips
In eager motion, showed that to its height
His voice was lifted; yet no sound was heard,—
In thunder swallowed, and the tempest's roar.
Upspringing,—to and fro, with rapid stride,
He paced the hall. The lords, astonished, saw
His frantic gestures, and his glaring eyes.
His crimsoned face, distended veins, and lips
In eager motion, showed that to its height
His voice was lifted; yet no sound was heard,—
In thunder swallowed, and the tempest's roar.
But, suddenly pale, he stopped; for lo! the ground,
As with great blows, seemed reeling: and the walls,
Like trembling timbers of wave-battered ship,
From roof to deep foundation sharply jarred.
As with great blows, seemed reeling: and the walls,
Like trembling timbers of wave-battered ship,
From roof to deep foundation sharply jarred.
Up from his seat at once sprang every guest,
Pallid with terror, trembling, shrieking loud.
Some, on the glittering tables fixed their eyes,
Where gold and gems, like to a sun-kissed brook,
Quivered, and rocked; some, on the heaving floor
Gazed awe-struck, as they feared to see it ope,
And swallow them: upon the lofty roof
Looked some; and some upon the swaying walls,
As dreading momently lest they should fall,
And bury them.
Pallid with terror, trembling, shrieking loud.
Some, on the glittering tables fixed their eyes,
Where gold and gems, like to a sun-kissed brook,
Quivered, and rocked; some, on the heaving floor
Gazed awe-struck, as they feared to see it ope,
And swallow them: upon the lofty roof
Looked some; and some upon the swaying walls,
As dreading momently lest they should fall,
And bury them.
In midst of all, the king
With countenance aghast, stood staggering.
But the shock passed, and not a stone had fallen.
Then grew he bold again; and, lifting up
A brimming goblet, unto all made sign
That they should drink: and, when their cups were filled,
Toward heaven he turned his face; and, raising high
The golden vessel, waved it round and round,
As though to call out, “Thunder, Hurricane,
The king of all the east doth pledge you now.
Go on, and conquer: ye his soldiers are,
And, in your might and terror, will strike down,
And utterly destroy his enemies.”
So he, and drank.
With countenance aghast, stood staggering.
But the shock passed, and not a stone had fallen.
Then grew he bold again; and, lifting up
A brimming goblet, unto all made sign
244
Toward heaven he turned his face; and, raising high
The golden vessel, waved it round and round,
As though to call out, “Thunder, Hurricane,
The king of all the east doth pledge you now.
Go on, and conquer: ye his soldiers are,
And, in your might and terror, will strike down,
And utterly destroy his enemies.”
So he, and drank.
But, scarce his impious lips
The wine had drained, when, reeling, down he fell.
The floor was lifted; the strong pillars swayed;
The roof, and massive walls, heaved to and fro.
From every hand at once down dropped the cup:
Some, backward fell; some, o'er the tables prone:
Who fell not, tottered like to drunken men:
Distent was every eye; and every face
Corpse-like with terror.
The wine had drained, when, reeling, down he fell.
The floor was lifted; the strong pillars swayed;
The roof, and massive walls, heaved to and fro.
From every hand at once down dropped the cup:
Some, backward fell; some, o'er the tables prone:
Who fell not, tottered like to drunken men:
Distent was every eye; and every face
Corpse-like with terror.
Once again the earth,
As if beneath the stroke of some vast weight,
Trembled and jarred: and faintly, afterward,
Amid the thunder and the wind, was heard
A noise as of the dash of waves, and grate
Of rocks descending. But the ground no more
Was shaken; and the fast-subsiding storm,
Like madman when his fury-fit is gone,
Sighed off to rest.
As if beneath the stroke of some vast weight,
Trembled and jarred: and faintly, afterward,
Amid the thunder and the wind, was heard
A noise as of the dash of waves, and grate
Of rocks descending. But the ground no more
Was shaken; and the fast-subsiding storm,
Like madman when his fury-fit is gone,
Sighed off to rest.
Soon, from the floor arose
The trembling king; and staggered to his throne.
The guests rose, also, and in haste sat down:
But every countenance was blanched with awe:
And, when the monarch, with a ghastly smile,
Poured out the wine, and signed to them to drink,
Each hand seemed ague-struck. When fell the storm,
And men could hear, and speak,—with catching breath,
Dark fears were whispered: nor, though strove the king
To wake again the mirth and revelry,
Could any heart make answer. To their lips
They raised the cup, and, with a hollow laugh,
Mimicked a merriment; but their souls were dark
With dread of yet worse evil.
The trembling king; and staggered to his throne.
The guests rose, also, and in haste sat down:
But every countenance was blanched with awe:
And, when the monarch, with a ghastly smile,
Poured out the wine, and signed to them to drink,
Each hand seemed ague-struck. When fell the storm,
And men could hear, and speak,—with catching breath,
Dark fears were whispered: nor, though strove the king
To wake again the mirth and revelry,
Could any heart make answer. To their lips
They raised the cup, and, with a hollow laugh,
245
With dread of yet worse evil.
Still, resolved
The gloom to chase,—with a bold front the king
His goblet filled; and bade each guest his cup
Fill also, and drink deep.
The gloom to chase,—with a bold front the king
His goblet filled; and bade each guest his cup
Fill also, and drink deep.
“What looks are these!
Ye are not men,” he cried, “rulers, and chiefs,
But feeble-hearted women, if a blast
Of the rough wind, and trembling of the ground,
Can shake you thus. For thrice five hundred years
Hath stood this matchless city: thrice again,
Though hurricane and earthquake doubly rage,
And foes in tenfold number gather round,
Still must she stand; for thus the Fates decree:
Thus dead kings spake it. ‘This great Nineveh
To mortal might will never bow the knee,
Till Tigris from his bed shall 'gainst her rise;
O'ertop her battlement, and lofty towers,
And riot in her streets.’ Then be ye glad.
Not upon us, but on our enemies
Was hurled the wrath of heaven. At morn look forth,
And ye shall see on whom the bolts were shot,
For whom the earth hath gaped. Be joyous then:
Fill to the brim; and be our motto still,
‘EAT, DRINK, AND LOVE; NOUGHT ELSE IS WORTH A THOUGHT.’”
Ye are not men,” he cried, “rulers, and chiefs,
But feeble-hearted women, if a blast
Of the rough wind, and trembling of the ground,
Can shake you thus. For thrice five hundred years
Hath stood this matchless city: thrice again,
Though hurricane and earthquake doubly rage,
And foes in tenfold number gather round,
Still must she stand; for thus the Fates decree:
Thus dead kings spake it. ‘This great Nineveh
To mortal might will never bow the knee,
Till Tigris from his bed shall 'gainst her rise;
O'ertop her battlement, and lofty towers,
And riot in her streets.’ Then be ye glad.
Not upon us, but on our enemies
Was hurled the wrath of heaven. At morn look forth,
And ye shall see on whom the bolts were shot,
For whom the earth hath gaped. Be joyous then:
Fill to the brim; and be our motto still,
‘EAT, DRINK, AND LOVE; NOUGHT ELSE IS WORTH A THOUGHT.’”
Speaking, he raised his cup; and, after him,
All filled, and gave the answer. With forced glee,
Spake many, wishing so the king to please:
But most, with inward shuddering heard again
Those ominous words, remembered but too well,
As herald of their first great overthrow.
All filled, and gave the answer. With forced glee,
Spake many, wishing so the king to please:
But most, with inward shuddering heard again
Those ominous words, remembered but too well,
As herald of their first great overthrow.
Ere yet the acclamations all were hushed,
Without the palace a loud cry was heard,
A howl of consternation and despair.
Silent they sat, and listened; man on man
Anxiously looking, as though each of all
Would question, “What dire evil now hath fallen?”
Without the palace a loud cry was heard,
A howl of consternation and despair.
Silent they sat, and listened; man on man
Anxiously looking, as though each of all
Would question, “What dire evil now hath fallen?”
Some rose at length, unbidden, and went forth,
The cause to learn: the rest in mute suspense
Sat pallid; for the outcries louder grew;
And all with dread of some strange horror shook.
246
Sat pallid; for the outcries louder grew;
And all with dread of some strange horror shook.
Anon, with faces white as sepulchre,
Shivering with fear, came they who had gone forth:
All eyes were on them fixed, all ears athirst
To catch their tidings. Like to drunken men,
Unsteadily they walked; and, nigh the king
Approaching, stood and gasped; but spake no word,
So terror froze them. With like look of fear,
The monarch on his glittering throne sat mute,
Their speech awaiting. Long time did they stand,
As they were magic-stricken: till, at length,
Impatience mastering dread, with husky voice
The king exclaimed—“Your tidings—quickly speak—
Speak,—or ye die!”
Shivering with fear, came they who had gone forth:
All eyes were on them fixed, all ears athirst
To catch their tidings. Like to drunken men,
Unsteadily they walked; and, nigh the king
Approaching, stood and gasped; but spake no word,
So terror froze them. With like look of fear,
The monarch on his glittering throne sat mute,
Their speech awaiting. Long time did they stand,
As they were magic-stricken: till, at length,
Impatience mastering dread, with husky voice
The king exclaimed—“Your tidings—quickly speak—
Speak,—or ye die!”
Then fell before his feet
The trembling lords; but Tartan still stood up,
And gave the answer.
The trembling lords; but Tartan still stood up,
And gave the answer.
“Mighty king of kings!
Make strong thy soul, for the dread doom draws nigh!
Furlongs in length, hath earthquake overthrown,
From pinnacle to base, the western wall!
Tigris, like angry ocean, hath arisen!
O'ertops fallen battlement, and shattered tower,
And riots in the streets!”
Make strong thy soul, for the dread doom draws nigh!
Furlongs in length, hath earthquake overthrown,
From pinnacle to base, the western wall!
Tigris, like angry ocean, hath arisen!
O'ertops fallen battlement, and shattered tower,
And riots in the streets!”
Like one who sees
A spectre in the darkness, glared the king:
He strove to rise; but all his strength was gone:
He strove to speak; but his relaxing jaw
Dropped nerveless. In a cold collapse, like death,
He shrank together, even as shrinks a leaf,
By lightning blasted.
A spectre in the darkness, glared the king:
He strove to rise; but all his strength was gone:
He strove to speak; but his relaxing jaw
Dropped nerveless. In a cold collapse, like death,
He shrank together, even as shrinks a leaf,
By lightning blasted.
Round him came in haste
A pitying few; and, with a tender care,
Unto his chamber bore him. But the rest
Girt up their robes, and from the palace fled,
Speechless with terror. Some unto their homes
Retired; and gathered up their gems and gold,
On flight intent; for now indeed all knew
The day of doom was nigh.
A pitying few; and, with a tender care,
Unto his chamber bore him. But the rest
Girt up their robes, and from the palace fled,
Speechless with terror. Some unto their homes
Retired; and gathered up their gems and gold,
247
The day of doom was nigh.
With trembling limbs,
Some to the fatal breach walked hastily,
With their own eyes to see the yawning mouth
Of great Assyria's sepulchre.
Some to the fatal breach walked hastily,
With their own eyes to see the yawning mouth
Of great Assyria's sepulchre.
Oh! night
Of ruin, and of dread! From wall to wall,
Throughout the city sounds the voice of woe!
The dead are floating in the deluged streets:
In every quarter flare the heaven-lit fires.
Gone are the thunder-clouds: the waning moon
Through a thin vapour sheds her ghastly light
On the great chasm, and on the boiling flood.
Nigh to the foamy margin, stream the flames
Of countless torches, hurrying to and fro;
While drowning wretches, in their agony,
Beat on the torrent waves, and, shrieking, sink!
Of ruin, and of dread! From wall to wall,
Throughout the city sounds the voice of woe!
The dead are floating in the deluged streets:
In every quarter flare the heaven-lit fires.
Gone are the thunder-clouds: the waning moon
Through a thin vapour sheds her ghastly light
On the great chasm, and on the boiling flood.
Nigh to the foamy margin, stream the flames
Of countless torches, hurrying to and fro;
While drowning wretches, in their agony,
Beat on the torrent waves, and, shrieking, sink!
From house-top, temple, tower, and battlement,
The awe-struck myriads silently look on,
And know the day of their destruction nigh!
The awe-struck myriads silently look on,
And know the day of their destruction nigh!
| The fall of Nineveh | |