Page:Stanzas on an Ancient Superstition (1864).djvu/18

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Mingled with thankful prayers, shout after shout
 * Of sudden joy from far-off cities rose.

And now the birds in strange alarm fly out
 * From hidden nests, now flap their wings in close
 * And closer circles round the flame;—as glows

From tower to tower the ascending beacon-light
 * Thro’ all the excited land, and eastward throws

Its gladdening rays, and westward takes its flight, Blaze answering to blaze from hill and mountain height.

Skimming the lake it passed, and o’er the stream,
 * A band of light, till on the ocean's breast

Scattering its diamonds, fairer than the gleam
 * Of Evening-Star, it glittered in its rest,
 * Its happy mission done.
 * What lips unblest

As mine, a nation’s joy and loud acclaim
 * For life can tell? When all in garlands drest,

With rapturous songs greeted the Day’s bright beam, That dawning o’er the cast in cloudless brilliance came.