Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/105

 Faintly muttering from deep mountain ranges,
 * Muffled sounds rose hoarsely on the night,

As the crash of foundering avalanches
 * Wakes hoarse echoes in each Alpine height.

Near and nearer sounds the roaring—thunder,
 * Mortal thunder, crashes through the vale;

Lightning flash of muskets breaks from under
 * Groves once haunted by the nightingale.

Men clutch madly at each weapon—women,
 * Children crouch in cellars, under roofs,

For the town is circled by their foemen—
 * Shakes the ground with clang of trampling hoofs.

Shot on shot the volleys hiss and rattle,
 * Shrilly whistling fly the murderous balls,

Fiercely roars the tumult of the battle
 * Round the hard-contested, dear-bought walls.

Horror, horror! The fair town is burning,
 * Flames burst forth, wild sparks and ashes fly;