Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/130

His comrade pours a flood of radiance
From royal Europe trembling to her base,
And deluged in the lifeblood of her sons—
France, the Colossus, shattered at Sedan;
Her emperor, with all her chivalry,
Slain, or enthrall'd; while Germany the proud
Draws stern inveterate coils of battle close
About the fairest city in the world!
Moltke and Bismarck are dismembering France;
William assumes old Barbarossa's crown
In that great mirror'd chamber of the halls,
Which Louis, Gaul's grand monarch, piled in pride
To all the glories of his conquering race !

The wanderer listens, marvelling, to all;
While darkness deepens over Africa.
He turns to dearer themes—tells how he yearns
For home and his beloved; but would fain
Finish his work, since all the means are here.
"Nor will my labour now detain me long!"
They pore upon their notes, and charts; arrange