As one who, groping in a narrow stair,
Hath a strong sound of bells upon his ears,
Which, being at a distance off, appears
Quite close to him because of the pent air:
So with this France. She stumbles file and square
Darkling and without space for breath: each one
Who hears the thunder says: “It shall anon
Be in among her ranks to scatter her.”
This may be; and it may be that the storm
Is spent in rain upon the unscathed seas,
Or wasteth other countries ere it die:
Till she,-having climbed always through the swarm
Of darkness and of hurtling sound,-from these
Shall step forth on the light in a still sky.
(Dante Gabriel Rossetti)
More Poetry from Dante Gabriel Rossetti:
Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems based on Topics: Light- A Death-Parting (Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems)
- A Little While (Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems)
- Dante At Verona (Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems)
- The White Ship Henry I. Of England.-25t (Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems)
- Jenny (Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems)
- The Burden of Nineveh (Dante Gabriel Rossetti Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Light PoemsBased on Keywords: unscathed, hurtling, wasteth