Canadian Wild Flowers by Helen M. (Helen Mar) Johnson
page 94 of 235 (40%)
page 94 of 235 (40%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
And even greedy death was satisfied!
The sun went down; how changed from yester night! How changed his aspect, and how changed the sight On which he gazed! Then his last golden beam Fell on a landscape fair--a quiet scene-- Where now destruction reared its standard dread O'er shattered bodies and o'er severed head. Heap upon heap the pallid victims lay, Of racking pain and scorching thirst the prey; In anguish rolled upon the bloody ground, And wider still they tore each gaping wound; In concert joined their agonizing cries, Gnashed with their teeth and rolled their blood-shot eyes; With feeble groans they drew each painful breath, And racked with torments called aloud for death! Far o'er the field in wild confusion rose Piles of the ghastly dead--of friends and foes-- In death stretched side by side, mangled and cold While over all the sulphurous war-clouds rolled, In dark, dense columns mounted up on high, Tainting the air, polluting all the sky. Quebec was won; and o'er each lofty tower The British banner streamed in pride and power; Where the French eagle once her wings had spread The British lion reared his haughty head, And shook the conquered country with his roar; The eagle flew in terror from the shore. With drooping plumage skimmed the western main, |
|