He burst through the ice-pillared gates of the north, And away on his hurricane wings he rushed forth; He exulted all free in his might and his speed, He mocked at the lion and taunted the steed; He whistled along through each cranny and creek; He whirled o'er the mountains with hollow-toned shriek; The arrow and eagle were laggard behind, And alone in his flight sped the King of the Wind. He swept o'er the earth -- the tall battlements fell, And he laughed as they crumbled, with maniac yell; The broad oak of the wood dared to wrestle again, Till wild in his fury he hurled it in twain; He grappled with pyramids, works of an age And dire records were left of his havoc and rage No power could brave him, no fetters could bind; Supreme in his sway was the King of the Wind. He careered o'er the waters with death and despair, He wrecked the proud ship and his triumph was there; The cheeks that had blanched not at foeman or blade, At the sound of his breathing turned pale and afraid; He rocked the staunch lighthouse, he shivered the mast, He howled -- the strong life-boat in fragments was cast; And he roared in his glory, "Where, where will ye find A despot so great as the King of the Wind!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SLEEP by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH DO YOU FEAR THE WIND? by HAMLIN GARLAND WESSEX HEIGHTS by THOMAS HARDY MORAL ESSAYS: EPISTLE 2. TO A LADY: OF THE CHARACTERS OF WOMEN by ALEXANDER POPE IN MY LADY'S PRAISE by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE THE WEDDING FEAST: 3 by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH THIRD BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 29 by THOMAS CAMPION TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. YORK MINISTER by EDWARD CARPENTER |