1 On Linden, when the sun was low,
2 All bloodless lay the untrodden snow,
3 And dark as winter was the flow
4 Of Iser, rolling rapidly.
5 But Linden saw another sight
6 When the drum beat at dead of night,
7 Commanding fires of death to light
8 The darkness of her scenery.
9 By torch and trumpet fast arrayed,
10 Each horseman drew his battle blade,
11 And furious every charger neighed
12 To join the dreadful revelry.
13 Then shook the hills with thunder riven,
14 Then rushed the steed to battle driven,
15 And louder than the bolts of heaven
16 Far flashed the red artillery.
17 But redder yet that light shall glow
18 On Linden’s hills of stainèd snow,
19 And bloodier yet the torrent flow
20 Of Iser, rolling rapidly.
21 ‘Tis morn, but scarce yon level sun
22 Can pierce the war clouds, rolling dun,
23 Where furious Frank and fiery Hun
24 Shout in their sulphurous canopy.
25 The combat deepens. On, ye brave,
26 Who rush to glory, or the grave!
27 Wave, Munich! all thy banners wave,
28 And charge with all thy chivalry!
29 Few, few shall part where many meet!
30 The snow shall be their winding-sheet,
31 And every turf beneath their feet
32 Shall be a soldier’s sepulchre.
(Thomas Campbell)
More Poetry from Thomas Campbell:
Thomas Campbell Poems based on Topics: Death & Dying, Heaven, War & Peace, Night, Success, Light, Courage, Winter, Soldiers, Snow- Lochiel's Warning (Thomas Campbell Poems)
- Last Man, The (Thomas Campbell Poems)
- Hope Triumphant in Death (Thomas Campbell Poems)
- Battle of the Baltic, The (Thomas Campbell Poems)
- Maternal Hope (Thomas Campbell Poems)
- Glenara (Thomas Campbell Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Night Poems, Light Poems, Death & Dying Poems, War & Peace Poems, Heaven Poems, Success Poems, Snow Poems, Courage Poems, Winter Poems, Soldiers PoemsBased on Keywords: pierce, charge, rolling, dreadful, fiery, trumpet, shout, blade, level, driven, furious