Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/130

108 His comrade pours a flood of radiance From royal Europe trembling to her base, And deluged in the lifeblood of her sons— France, the Colossus, shattered at Sedan; Her emperor, with all her chivalry, Slain, or enthrall'd; while Germany the proud Draws stern inveterate coils of battle close About the fairest city in the world! Moltke and Bismarck are dismembering France; William assumes old Barbarossa's crown In that great mirror'd chamber of the halls, Which Louis, Gaul's grand monarch, piled in pride To all the glories of his conquering race !

The wanderer listens, marvelling, to all; While darkness deepens over Africa. He turns to dearer themes—tells how he yearns For home and his beloved; but would fain Finish his work, since all the means are here. "Nor will my labour now detain me long!" They pore upon their notes, and charts; arrange