I SAW him on the battle-eve, When like a king he bore him, -- Proud hosts in glittering helm and greave, And prouder chiefs before him; The warrior, and the warrior's deeds, The morrow, and the morrow's meeds, No daunting thoughts came o'er him; He looked around him, and his eye Defiance flashed to earth and sky. He looked on ocean, -- its broad breast Was covered with his fleet; On earth, -- and saw from east to west His bannered millions meet; While rock and glen and cave and coast Shook with the war-cry of that host, The thunder of their feet! He heard the imperial echoes ring, -- He heard, and felt himself a king. I saw him next alone: nor camp Nor chief his steps attended; Nor banner blazed, nor courser's tramp With war-cries proudly blended. He stood alone, whom fortune high So lately seemed to deify; He who with heaven contended Fled like a fugitive and slave! Behind, the foe; before, the wave. He stood -- fleet, army, treasure, gone -- Alone, and in despair! But wave and wind swept ruthless on, For they were monarchs there; And Xerxes, in a single bark, Where late his thousand ships were dark, Must all their fury dare. What a revenge, -- a trophy, this, -- For thee, immortal Salamis! |