80
POEMS BY CLARA A. MERRILL
Then stood aghast the people,
Astounded, stricken, dazed.—
While in that glowing furnace
The timbers cracked and blazed.
Astounded, stricken, dazed.—
While in that glowing furnace
The timbers cracked and blazed.
And, as the smoke ascended
In black, dense, billowy waves;
Each heart cried out in anguish:—
"Oh Father, God who saves
In black, dense, billowy waves;
Each heart cried out in anguish:—
"Oh Father, God who saves
Look down in thy compassion!—
The mad flames dart and sway
Like ruddy, fork-tongued dragons
That swift devour their prey.—
The mad flames dart and sway
Like ruddy, fork-tongued dragons
That swift devour their prey.—
The winds sang a requiem,
And many a silent prayer
Arose. As smoke and flame illumined
The sky with lurid glare.—
And many a silent prayer
Arose. As smoke and flame illumined
The sky with lurid glare.—
Oh! friends and loving kindred—
Your hearts in grief must bow;
The proprietor of the factory
Needs not your pity now!
Your hearts in grief must bow;
The proprietor of the factory
Needs not your pity now!