BOOK THE FIFTH.
173
Of javelins sparkling to the noontide sun, 280
Their banners tossing to the troubled gale,
And—fearful music—heard upon the wind
The modulated step of multitudes."
Their banners tossing to the troubled gale,
And—fearful music—heard upon the wind
The modulated step of multitudes."
"There in the midst, shuddering with fear, I saw
The dreadful stores of death. Tremendous roll'd 285
Over rough roads the harsh wheels. The brazen tubes
Flash'd in the sun their fearful splendor far,
And last the loaded waggons creak'd along.
An awful scene! that chill'd me as I gaz'd.
Thus from the black womb of the mutinous sky, 290
When the red lightning rushes, and illumes
With lurid light the cloud-clad hemisphere,
The traveller speeds across the plain, yet marks
All fearful as he is, with strange delight,
The forked flash."
"Meantime, a pensive train, 295
The fearful Nuns in sad solemnity
Pass to the temple. In this hour of ill,
Earnest of soul they pray to Heav'n for aid."
The dreadful stores of death. Tremendous roll'd 285
Over rough roads the harsh wheels. The brazen tubes
Flash'd in the sun their fearful splendor far,
And last the loaded waggons creak'd along.
An awful scene! that chill'd me as I gaz'd.
Thus from the black womb of the mutinous sky, 290
When the red lightning rushes, and illumes
With lurid light the cloud-clad hemisphere,
The traveller speeds across the plain, yet marks
All fearful as he is, with strange delight,
The forked flash."
"Meantime, a pensive train, 295
The fearful Nuns in sad solemnity
Pass to the temple. In this hour of ill,
Earnest of soul they pray to Heav'n for aid."
And
