  Like fallen stars the watch-fires gleamed Along our menaced age that night! Our bivouacked century tossed and dreamed Of battle with the approaching light. Rumors of change, a sea-like roar, Shook the firm earth with doubt and dread: The clouds, in rushing legions bore Their tattered eagles overhead. I saw the muffled sentries rest On the dark hills of Time. I saw Around them march from East to West The stars of the unresting law. I knew that in their mighty course They brought the dawn, they brought the day; And that the unconquerable force Of the new years was on the way. I heard the feet of that great throng! I saw them shine, like hope, afar! Their shout, their shout was like a song, And O, 'twas not a song of war! Yet, as the whole world with their tramp Quivered, a signal-lightning spoke, A bugle warned our darkling camp, And, like a thunder-cloud, it woke. Our searchlights raked the world's wide ends. O'er the dark hills a grey light crept. Down, through the light, that host of friends We took for foemen, triumphing swept. The old century could not hear their cry, How should it hear the song they sang? We bring good news! It pierced the sky! We bring good news! The welkin rang. One shout of triumph and of faith; And then—our shattering cannon roared! But, over the reeking ranks of death, The song rose like a single sword. We bring good news! Red flared the guns! We bring good news! The sabres flashed! And the dark age with its own sons In blind and furious battle clashed. A swift, a terrible bugle pealed. The sulphurous clouds were rolled away. Embraced, embraced, on that red field, The wounded and the dying lay. We bring good news! Blood choked the word, —We knew you not; so dark the night!— O father, was I worth your sword? O son, O herald of the light! We bring good news!—The darkness fills Mine eyes!—Nay, the night ebbs away! And, over the everlasting hills, The great new dawn led on the day. |
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