Lines.
205
Hear'st thou their songs who rock and rift surmounting
Shout to their brethren in the vales beneath?
Seest thou the foremost on his spear point lifting
Trophy and wreath?
Shout to their brethren in the vales beneath?
Seest thou the foremost on his spear point lifting
Trophy and wreath?
I hear sharp cries, a sound, of stifled moaning
Blent with brave music, and a din of strife,
Discordant tones to dove-eyed peace, proclaiming
War to the knife.
Blent with brave music, and a din of strife,
Discordant tones to dove-eyed peace, proclaiming
War to the knife.
I see coiled adders, by the roadside lurking,
Watch for the failing step, the foot astray,
While overhead the keen-eyed eagles circling
Wait for their prey.
Watch for the failing step, the foot astray,
While overhead the keen-eyed eagles circling
Wait for their prey.
Look right nor left; stand firm, and dauntless meeting
Death by the open stroke, the secret spring,
Gathering thy proud fame as a robe around thee,
Fall like a king!
Death by the open stroke, the secret spring,
Gathering thy proud fame as a robe around thee,
Fall like a king!
Oh hence, I pray! my soul, athirst for slumber,
Close to her fount lies fainting on the brim;
Hears the sweet trilling of her waves, grass-muffled,
Low-toned and dim.
Close to her fount lies fainting on the brim;
Hears the sweet trilling of her waves, grass-muffled,
Low-toned and dim.
