154
LOCKING THE DOOR.
I first beheld, when darkness wrapped me round,
A picture painful rising on my view—
Our nation falling, crumbling to the ground,
Our halls of state in smouldering ruins too.
A picture painful rising on my view—
Our nation falling, crumbling to the ground,
Our halls of state in smouldering ruins too.
Around was terror and destruction all!
And fearful flames were streaming to the skies!
Alas, I would not now the scene recall,
Its horror, too, my memory defies.
Then in the distance shouts of joy I heard,
The tramp of horses, and the bugle's note;
I listened till my heart with rapture stirred,
And, gazing, saw again our lovely ensign float.
And fearful flames were streaming to the skies!
Alas, I would not now the scene recall,
Its horror, too, my memory defies.
Then in the distance shouts of joy I heard,
The tramp of horses, and the bugle's note;
I listened till my heart with rapture stirred,
And, gazing, saw again our lovely ensign float.
Above the ruins in the sunlight came—
My boy with banner waving in his hand!
The azure ground glowed with each star the same,
Peace was proclaimed to our unhappy land.
And then I rose with firmness, turned the key,
Locked out my treasure on the tented field,
Cheered by this dream;—then came the thought to me
The Saviour's cross upon his brow was sealed.
My boy with banner waving in his hand!
The azure ground glowed with each star the same,
Peace was proclaimed to our unhappy land.
And then I rose with firmness, turned the key,
Locked out my treasure on the tented field,
Cheered by this dream;—then came the thought to me
The Saviour's cross upon his brow was sealed.
