FROM the valley we descried, As the Gauls approached our shores, Keels that darkened all the tide, Tempesting the lake with oars. Then the mountain-echoes rang With the clangor of alarms: Shrill the signal-trumpet sang; All our warriors leaped to arms. On the margin of the flood, While the frantic foe drew nigh; Grim as watching wolves we stood, Prompt as eagles stretched to fly. In a deluge upon land Burst their overwhelming might; Back we hurled them from the strand, Oft returning to the fight. Fierce and long the combat held; Till the waves were warm with blood, Till the booming waters swelled As they sank beneath the flood. For on that triumphant day Underwalden's arms once more Broke Oppression's black array, Dashed invasion from her shore. Gaul's surviving barks retired, Muttering vengeance as they fled: Hope in us, by conquest fired, Raised our spirits from the dead. From the dead our spirits rose, To the dead they soon returned; Bright, on its eternal close, Underwalden's glory burned. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CHRISTMAS CAROL, SUNG TO THE KING IN THE PRESENCE AT WHITEHALL by ROBERT HERRICK THE HOCK-CART, OR HARVEST HOME by ROBERT HERRICK BROWNING AT ASOLO by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON THE GHOSTS OF THE BUFFALOES by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY THE BALLAD OF BAZILE BORGNE by IDA COLE BARTLATT |