As I Ponder'd in Silence.
Part of the cluster INSCRIPTIONS.
AS I PONDER'D IN SILENCE.
1
AS I ponder'd in silence, Returning upon my poems, considering, lingering long, A Phantom arose before me, with distrustful aspect, Terrible in beauty, age, and power, [ begin page 8 ]
ppp.00270.010.jpgThe genius of poets of old lands,
As to me directing like flame its eyes,
With finger pointing to many immortal songs,
And menacing voice, What singest thou? it said;
Knowest thou not, there is but one theme for ever-enduring
bards? And that is the theme of War, the fortune of battles, The making of perfect soldiers?
2
Be it so, then I answer'd, I too, haughty Shade, also sing war—and a longer andgreater one than any, Waged in my book with varying fortune—with fight, ad-
vance, and retreat—Victory deferr'd and wavering, (Yet, methinks, certain, or as good as certain, at the last,)
—The field the world; For life and death—for the Body, and for the eternal Soul, Lo! I too am come, chanting the chant of battles, I, above all, promote brave soldiers.
Part of the cluster INSCRIPTIONS.