FLAPPING fierce her gory pinions, Whetting sharp her crimson beak, Vulture War her barbarous minions, Calls her ghastly prey to seek. Now her hideous form comes swooping From the thundering ramparts' height, O'er the carnaged valley stooping, Gorged with slaughter—horrid sight! Shot and shell the dark air rending— Sulphurous flash, and bayonet's gleam— Shouts and shrieks, and groans wild blending, With her loud discordant scream. High the purple tide is swelling, O'er the dark ensanguined plain, From a thousand bosoms welling, Mangled limbs and shattered brain! Oh! for angel eye and station, Far above the battle-cloud, Whence I'd view the dread migration Of the unbodied spirit crowd! Through eternity's dark portals To the abodes of weal or woe, Swiftly rush the new immortals— Lord, how long shall it be so? Summerland—Oh! beauteous region, Rich in foliage, flowers, and fruit, Shall the foe whose name is Legion, Keep and tread thee under foot? Round thy leaguered port and city Volleying thunders ceaseless roar, Earth affords not aid or pity— They shall fall to rise no more! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RECESSIONAL (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON EPISTLE TO ROBERT, EARL OF OXFORD, AND EARL MORTIMER by ALEXANDER POPE OEDIPUS AT COLONUS: OLD AGE by SOPHOCLES TO THE MEMORY OF H-- M-- by BERNARD BARTON THE STEALING OF THE MARE; AN ARABIC EPIC OF THE TENTH CENTURY by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT GRANDMOTHER'S GARDEN by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN A MARCH GLEE by JOHN BURROUGHS |