The world of the elder gods is aflame. The smoke of its burning, Heavy with fumes of carnage, darkens the shuddering skies. Tortured flesh in ashes to tortured earth is returning. Baldur the Beautiful, rise! Rise, for this is thine hour. The mighty who said they had slain thee, Stretch their stiffening hands to a redly perishing prize. Thou who hast bided thy time in the tomb that could not retain thee, Baldur the Beautiful, rise! Spirit of light and freedom, behold thy foundation is ready. Dust and blood and tears, the glory of empire lies. Wonderful over the waste, strong as the sun and as steady, Baldur the Beautiful, rise! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LINES TO WILLIAM LINLEY WHILE HE SANG A SONG TO PURCELL'S MUSIC by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE HOLIDAY AT HAMPTON COURT by JOHN DAVIDSON REMEMBRANCE by MARGARET E. BRUNER THE ITALIAN BISHOP by JOHN BYROM THE SEAS OF ENGLAND by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE |