78
POEMS BY CLARA A. MERRILL
"The mill! The mill is burning!"
At last, as if from sleep
They wakened to the danger,—
Beheld a bright flame leap!—
At last, as if from sleep
They wakened to the danger,—
Beheld a bright flame leap!—
Ascending and expanding.
Columns of smoke arose
As from volcanic crater
Where molten lava flows.—
Columns of smoke arose
As from volcanic crater
Where molten lava flows.—
Again the cry resounded:—
"The mill is all on fire!"—
And catching up the tidings
The bells 'neath every spire
"The mill is all on fire!"—
And catching up the tidings
The bells 'neath every spire
Tolled franticly the warning.—
With clanging, vibrant tongue
They sent abroad the message
The village folk among!
With clanging, vibrant tongue
They sent abroad the message
The village folk among!
Lo! Turner's happy village—
That peaceful, pleasant scene
Transformed in one brief moment
To one of sorrow keen.—
That peaceful, pleasant scene
Transformed in one brief moment
To one of sorrow keen.—
