'TWAS the deep mid-watch of the silent night, And Leon in slumber lay, When a sound went forth in rushing might, Like an army on its way! In the stillness of the hour, When the dreams of sleep have power, And men forget the day. Through the dark and lonely streets it went, Till the slumberers woke in dread; The sound of a passing armament, With the charger's stony tread. There was heard no trumpet's peal, But the heavy tramp of steel, As a host's to combat led. Through the dark and lonely streets it passed, And the hollow pavement rang, And the towers as with a sweeping blast, Rocked to the stormy clang! But the march of the viewless train Went on to royal fane, Where a priest his night-hymn sang. There was knocking that shook the marble floor, And a voice at the gate, which said -- "That the Cid Ruy Diez, the Campeador, Was there in his arms arrayed; And that with him from the tomb, Had the Count Gonzalez come With a host, uprisen to aid! And they came from the buried king that lay At rest in that ancient fane; For he must be armed on the battle-day With them to deliver Spain!" -- Then the march went sounding on And the Moors by noontide sun Were dust on Tolosa's plain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 4 by THOMAS CAMPION MY MOTHER'S BIBLE by GEORGE POPE MORRIS LUKE HAVERGAL by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON DECORATION DAY PRAYER by ARTHUR ROSZELLE BEMIS JR. HERE STOOD A HOUSE by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR THE ADIEU; WRITTEN .. THE IMPRESSION AUTHOR WOULD SOON DIE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON TO THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES by THOMAS CAMPION |