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ANNIVERSARY POEM.
201
That prove the very gods are drawing nigh—
Touched to the heart by every human groan.
Cloud-veiled, they ride to end the doubtful fray;
Around their feet the obedient lightnings play;
Down mount and vale their heaven-forged bolts are thrown.
Touched to the heart by every human groan.
Cloud-veiled, they ride to end the doubtful fray;
Around their feet the obedient lightnings play;
Down mount and vale their heaven-forged bolts are thrown.
XXXVIII.
Wild battle-blasts have withered half our land,
And Freedom pants and pales in hellish toils;
But ah, above the dragon's stiffening coils,
The car of Victory rolls from strand to strand:
Its wingéd coursers cleave the smoke of strife;
O'er mortal dust blooms deathless spirit-life;
Dread War rides on—but rides toward issues grand.
Wild battle-blasts have withered half our land,
And Freedom pants and pales in hellish toils;
But ah, above the dragon's stiffening coils,
The car of Victory rolls from strand to strand:
Its wingéd coursers cleave the smoke of strife;
O'er mortal dust blooms deathless spirit-life;
Dread War rides on—but rides toward issues grand.
XXXIX.
For God shall speak; and clash of cleaving sword,
And cherub-harps and archangelic songs
In larger sound shall merge unheard, while throngs
Of stars, made fair by his Creative Word,
Shall hark to the ineffable voiceful breath:
"Columbia, rise—thou conqueror of Death!
Savior of nations, counselor and lord!"
For God shall speak; and clash of cleaving sword,
And cherub-harps and archangelic songs
In larger sound shall merge unheard, while throngs
Of stars, made fair by his Creative Word,
Shall hark to the ineffable voiceful breath:
"Columbia, rise—thou conqueror of Death!
Savior of nations, counselor and lord!"
