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From stormy skies the Sun withdrew his light;
Terrific in her grandeur reigned the Night:
'Twas deepest gloom-or light'ning's angry glare;
Voices of mighty thunder rent the air:
In gusts and moanings hollow raved the blast,
And clouds poured out their fury, as they passed.
But fiercer storms to-morrow's Sun shall fright;
More deadly thunders usher in the night.
The winds may howl unnoticed; for their sound
'Mid the deep groans of thousands shall be drowned;
The plain be deluged with a ghastlier flood:
That tempest's wrath shall fall in showers of blood.
See! by the flash of momentary day,
The hills are thronged with battle's dread array.
There, Gallia's legions, reeking with the gore
Of slaughtered Prussia; thirsting deep for more;
Secure of Conquest: ravening for their prey;
On Brussels thought, and cursed the night's delay.
Here Brunswick's sable warriors, grim, and still,
Mourned their lost chief; and eyed the adverse hill
With fell intent. Indignant at retreat
Here Britons burned once more that foe to greet.
Yet were there some could slumber, and forget,
Awhile, the deadly work for which they met.
Terrific in her grandeur reigned the Night:
'Twas deepest gloom-or light'ning's angry glare;
Voices of mighty thunder rent the air:
In gusts and moanings hollow raved the blast,
And clouds poured out their fury, as they passed.
But fiercer storms to-morrow's Sun shall fright;
More deadly thunders usher in the night.
The winds may howl unnoticed; for their sound
'Mid the deep groans of thousands shall be drowned;
The plain be deluged with a ghastlier flood:
That tempest's wrath shall fall in showers of blood.
See! by the flash of momentary day,
The hills are thronged with battle's dread array.
There, Gallia's legions, reeking with the gore
Of slaughtered Prussia; thirsting deep for more;
Secure of Conquest: ravening for their prey;
On Brussels thought, and cursed the night's delay.
Here Brunswick's sable warriors, grim, and still,
Mourned their lost chief; and eyed the adverse hill
With fell intent. Indignant at retreat
Here Britons burned once more that foe to greet.
Yet were there some could slumber, and forget,
Awhile, the deadly work for which they met.
