Percy Bysshe Shelley

“ A black Tartarian horse of giant frame,
Comes trampling over the dead; the living bleed
Beneath the hoofs of that tremendous steed,
On which, like to an Angel, robed in white,
Sate one waving a sword ”

“ Far overhead, ships from Propontis keep
A killing rain of fire. When the waves smile
As sudden earthquakes light many a volcano isle,
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Thus sudden, unexpected feast was spread
For the carrion fowls of Heaven. I saw the sight—
I moved—I lived—as o'er the heaps of dead,
Whose stony eyes glared in the morning light,
I trod; to me there came no thought of flight,
But with loud cries of scorn, which whoso heard
That dreaded death felt in his veins the might
Of virtuous shame return, the crowd I stirred,
And desperation's hope in many hearts recurred. ”

“ And lightly shook the reins. We spake no word,
But like the vapor of the tempest fled
Over the plain; her dark hair was dispread
Like the pine's locks upon the lingering blast;
Over mine eyes its shadowy strings it spread
Fitfully, and the hills and streams fled fast,
As o'er their glimmering forms the steed's broad shadow passed. ”

“ While carnage in the sunbeam's warmth did seethe,
Till Twilight o'er the east wove her serenest wreath.
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The few who yet survived, resolute and firm,
Around me fought. At the decline of day,
Winding above the mountain's snowy term,
New banners shone ”

“ Each one from fear unknown a sudden refuge seeks
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Then, rallying cries of treason and of danger
Resounded, and—'They come! to arms! to arms!
The Tyrant is amongst us, and the stranger
Comes to enslave us in his name! ”

“ Even from our hearts, the wide air pierced and rent,
As those few arms the bravest and the best
Seized, and each sixth, thus armed, did now present
A line which covered and sustained the rest,
A confident phalanx which the foes on every side invest. ”

“ First what thou seek'st.'—'I seek for food.'—''T is well,
Thou shalt have food. Famine, my paramour,
Waits for us at the feast—cruel and fell
Is Famine, but he drives not from his door
Those whom these lips have kissed, alone. ”