The Storm of War

O! once was felt the storm of war!
It had an earthquake's roar;
It flash'd upon the mountain height,
And smoked along the shore.
It thunder'd in a dreaming ear,
And up the farmer sprang;
It mutter'd 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 sail'd the merchant ship,
There was peace upon her deck;
Her friendly flag from the mast was torn,
And the waters whelm'd the wreck.
But the same blast that bore her down
Fill'd a gallant daring sail,
That loved the might of the blackening storm,
And laugh'd 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.