Louis Napoleon: "A Berlin"

Because his Dream so gloomily dips
His Soul in the shadow of coming Eclipse,
With a tremulous clutch the Sword he grips!

Because the Crown felt loose on his head,
And his Throne grew shaky, once more he would
tread
Secure with his foot on the face of the dead.

Because the flash of the breakers by night
Showed him Destruction so near that the white
Of its eyes made sick the Seer's sight!

Because the Heavens waxed weary of him,
Oceans of innocent blood must brim,
That his poor little Lad might be learning to
swim!

Because his Boy needed Baptism of fire,
There is service of hell in a Funeral Pyre
Of Towns aflame with its heavenward spire!

Because he had Murder's new Toy to try,
A hundred thousand men must die;

"We hold our breath as the Doomed goes by,
Dark with the shadow of fate on his soul;

And the storm-winds rise, and the war-clouds
roll-
Avengers that hurry him on to his goal!

If he saw what I see, that Dreamer gone fey
Would double himself in the dust to pray.
Napoleon! this is the Judgment Day!