Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE STORM OF WAR, by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE STORM OF WAR, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O! Once was felt the storm of war!
Last Line: Above the rolling deep.
Subject(s): War


O! ONCE was felt the storm of war!
It had an earthquake's roar;
It flashed upon the mountain height,
And smoked along the shore.
It thundered in a dreaming ear,
And up the Farmer sprang;
It muttered in a bold, true heart,
And a warrior's harness rang.
It rumbled by a widow's door,--
All but her hope did fail:
It trembled through a leafy grove,
And a maiden's cheek was pale.
It steps upon the sleeping sea,
And waves around it howl;
It strides from top to foaming top,
Out-frowning ocean's scowl.
And yonder sailed the merchant ship--
There was peace upon her deck;
-- Her friendly flag from the mast was torn,
And the waters whelmed the wreck.
But the same blast that bore her down
Filled a gallant daring sail,
That loved the might of the blackening storm,
And laughed in the roaring gale.
The stream, that was a torrent once,
Is rippled to a brook,
The sword is broken, and the spear
Is but a pruning hook.
The mother chides her truant boy,
And keeps him well from harm;
While in the grove the happy maid
Hangs on her lover's arm.
Another breeze is on the sea,
Another wave is there,
And floats abroad triumphantly,
A banner bright and fair;
And peaceful hands and happy hearts,
And gallant spirits keep
Each star that decks it pure and bright,
Above the rolling deep.





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