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And first to gaze upon the scene, Quiet as there had never been Heavier step than village maid With flowers for her nuptial braid, Or louder sound than hermit's prayer, To crush its grass or load its air. Then to look on the armed train, The watch-fire on the wooded plain, And think how with the morrow's dawn, Would banner wave, and blade be drawn; How clash of steel, and trumpet's swell, Would wake the echoes of each dell. —And thus it ever is with life, Peace sleeps upon the breast of Strife, But to be waken'd from its rest, Till comes that sleep the last and best.