Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/166

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boding sky was charactered with cloud,
 * The scripture of the storm—but high in air,
 * Where the unfathomed zenith still was bare,

A pure expanse of rose-flushed violet glowed And, kindling into crimson light, o'erflowed
 * The hurrying wrack with such a blood-red glare,
 * That heaven, igniting, wildly seemed to flare

On the dazed eyes of many an awe-struck crowd.

And in far lands folk presaged with blanched lips Disastrous wars, earthquakes, and foundering ships
 * Such whelming floods as never dykes could stem,

Or some proud empire's ruin and eclipse:
 * Lo, such a sky, they cried, as burned o'er them
 * Once lit the sacking of Jerusalem!