Page:Zinzendorff and Other Poems.pdf/141

And ever in her ears a mournful sound,—
The weeping of the nations.
                                               Loudly shriek'd
A martial trump, and on his banner'd car
War like a sovereign came. Unnumber'd spoils
Were strew'd around him, and the blood of men
Flow'd as a river, 'neath his chariot wheels.
His eagle eye the promis'd honor scann'd,
As an undoubted right. But still stern Death
Ponder'd, and spake not, till, with haughty pride,
The candidate withdrew, and trembling Earth
Shrank at his kindled rage.
                                            There was a pause,
As if none dare in that foil'd champion's steps
Essay to tread. At length, a bloated form
Mov'd slowly on, with mix'd and maddening bowl;
But ere the footstool of the throne he press'd,
Death, with a father's fondness, hasting down,
Embraced, and in the seat of empire plac'd.
Great was the wonder, but none dare gainsay;
And with a fearful shout all Nature's foes,
Diseases, passions, wars and sins, pronounced
Intemperance their king; and at his feet
Their boasted, time-cemented trophies cast.