-- LAST night I could not rest: the chamber's heat, Or some wild thoughts -- the folly of the day Banish'd my sleep: So, in the garden air, I gazed upon the comet, that then shone In midnight glory, dimming all the stars. At once a crimson blaze, that made it pale, Flooded the north. I turn'd, and saw in heaven Two mighty armies! From the zenith star, Down to the earth, legions in line and orb, Squadron and square, like earthly marshalry. Anon, as if a sudden trumpet spoke, Banners of gold and purple were flung out; Fire-crested leaders swept along the lines; And both the gorgeous depths, like meeting seas, Roll'd to wild battle. Then, they breathed awhile, Leaving the space between a sheet of gore, Stew'd with torn standards, corpses, adn crash'd spears: But soon upon the horizon's belt uprose, Moon-like, or richer, -- like the rising morn, A bulwark'd city. -- Rome? -- Both armies joined, And like a deluge, rush'd against the walls @3One@1 chieftain led both armies to the storm, Till the proud capitol in embers fell, And heaven was all on fire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ODE TO THE RAIN by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S BURIAL HYMN by WALT WHITMAN WHERE LIES THE LAND by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH MEMORY by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TASTE, AN EPISTLE TO A YOUNG CRITIC by JOHN ARMSTRONG THE FERRY OF GALLAWAY by ALICE CARY |