deadly Waterloo![hb]
How in an hour the Power which gave annuls
Its gifts, transferring fame as fleeting too!--
In "pride of place" here last the Eagle flew,[1.B.]
Then tore with bloody talon the rent plain,[hc]
Pierced by the shaft of banded nations through;
Ambition's life and labours all were vain--
He wears the shattered links of the World's broken chain.[hd]

XIX.

Fit retribution! Gaul may champ the bit
And foam in fetters;--but is Earth more free?[289]
Did nations combat to make _One_ submit?
Or league to teach all Kings true Sovereignty?[he]
What! shall reviving Thraldom again be
The patched-up Idol of enlightened days?
Shall we, who struck the Lion down, shall we
Pay the Wolf homage? proffering lowly gaze
And servile knees to Thrones? No! _prove_ before ye praise!

XX.

If not, o'er one fallen Despot boast no more!
In vain fair cheeks were furrowed with hot tears
For Europe's flowers long rooted up before
The trampler of her vineyards; in vain, years
Of death, depopulation, bondage, fears,
Have all been borne, and broken by the accord
Of roused-up millions: all that most endears
Glory, is when the myrtle wreathes a Sword,
Such as Harmodius[2.B.] drew on Athens' tyrant Lord.

XXI.

There was a sound of revelry by night,[290]
And Belgium's Capital had gathered then
Her Beauty and her Chivalry--and bright
The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men;[hf]
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when
Music arose with its voluptuous swell,
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage bell;[3.B.]
But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell!

XXII.

Did ye not hear it?--No--'twas but the Wind,
Or the car rattling o'er the stony street;
On with the dance! let joy be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet
To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet--
But hark!--that heavy sound breaks in once more,
As if the clouds its echo would repeat;
And nearer--clearer--deadlier than before![hg]
Arm! Arm! it is--it is--the cannon's opening roar![hh]

XXIII.