The Storm of War

O! Once was felt the storm of war!
It had an earthquake's roar;
It flashed upon the mountain height,
And smoked along the shore.

It thundered in a dreaming ear,
And up the Farmer sprang;
It muttered in a bold, true heart,
And a warrior's harness rang.

It rumbled by a widow's door,—
All but her hope did fail:
It trembled through a leafy grove,
And a maiden's cheek was pale.
It steps upon the sleeping sea,
And waves around it howl;
It strides from top to foaming top,
Out-frowning ocean's scowl.

And yonder sailed the merchant ship—
There was peace upon her deck;
— Her friendly flag from the mast was torn,
And the waters whelmed the wreck.
But the same blast that bore her down
Filled a gallant daring sail,
That loved the might of the black'ning storm,
And laughed in the roaring gale.

The stream, that was a torrent once,
Is rippled to a brook,
The sword is broken, and the spear
Is but a pruning hook.
The mother chides her truant boy,
And keeps him well from harm;
While in the grove the happy maid
Hangs on her lover's arm.

Another breeze is on the sea,
Another wave is there,
And floats abroad triumphantly,
A banner bright and fair;
And peaceful hands and happy hearts,
And gallant spirits keep
Each star that decks it pure and bright,
Above the rolling deep.