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IN THE DEFENCES.
IN THE DEFENCES.
LONG the ramparts which surround the townI walk with evening, marking all the while
How night and autumn, closing softly down,
Leave on the land a blessing and a smile.
In the broad streets the sounds of tumult cease,
The gorgeous sunset reddens roof and spire,
The city sinks to quietude and peace,
Sleeping, like Saturn, in a ring of fire;
The gorgeous sunset reddens roof and spire,
The city sinks to quietude and peace,
Sleeping, like Saturn, in a ring of fire;
Circled with forts, whose grim and threatening walls
Frown black with cannon, whose abated breath
Waits the command to send the fatal balls
Upon their errands of dismay and death.
Frown black with cannon, whose abated breath
Waits the command to send the fatal balls
Upon their errands of dismay and death.
And see, directing, guiding, silently
Flash from afar the mystic signal lights,
As gleamed the fiery pillar in the sky
Leading by night the wandering Israelites.
Flash from afar the mystic signal lights,
As gleamed the fiery pillar in the sky
Leading by night the wandering Israelites.
