Trembling of purple banners in the fight, Wild neigh of horses in destruction's path, Howling of trumpets answering yells of wrath, Dim eyes where slowly fades the living light; And on the plains, the ghastly heaped up death O'er which the guns thunder their dull refrain; And summer is shamed and autumn grieves in rain; And carnage breathes abroad a hateful breath. Back! O though nightmare of the tired world's rest! The Spring sees blooming at the mother's breast Pink mouths of babes with cooing laughter rife; While from the valley to the mountain springs, Amid the rustle of the zephyrs and of wings, Sound, like young heart-beats, all the bells of Life. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest... |