As when the shadow of the sun's eclipse Sweeps on the earth, and spreads a spectral air, As if the universe were dying there, On continent and isle the darkness dips, Unwonted gloom, and on the Atlantic slips; So in the night the Belgian cities flare Horizon-wide; the wandering people fare Along the roads, and load the fleeing ships. And westward borne that planetary sweep, Darkening o'er England and her times to be, Already steps upon the ocean-deep! Watch well, my country, that unearthly sea, Lest when thou thinkest not, and in thy sleep, Unapt for war, that gloom enshadow thee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEJECTION by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES BALLADE OF BLUE CHINA by ANDREW LANG THE EAGLE THAT IS FORGOTTEN by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY THE FOUNTAIN by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL MODERN LOVE: 47 by GEORGE MEREDITH A CHRISTMAS FOLK-SONG by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE HEALTHFUL OLD AGE, FR. AS YOU LIKE IT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |