War, and the noise of battle, and the hum
Of armies, by their watch-fires, in the night,
And charging squadrons, all in harness bright,
The sword, the shield, the trumpet, and the drum —
Themes such as these, too oft, in lofty song
Have been resounded, while the poet strung
His high heroic lyre, and louder sung
Of chariots flashing through the armed throng:—
But other sights and other sounds engage,
Fitlier, the thoughts of calm-declining age,
More worthy of the Christian and the sage;
Who, when deep clouds his country have o'ercast,
And sadder comes the moaning of the blast,
To God would consecrate a parting lay
Of holier homage, ere he pass away.