. Ballads of bravery. and tyrants can neer make it rest. 124 #S BALLADS OF BRAVERY. Belshazzar. gBpHE midnight hour was drawing on;^^^ Flushed in repose lay Babylon ;W^^p But in the palace of the king The herd of courtiers shout and sing. There, in his royal banquet hall, Belshazzar holds high festival. The servants sit in glittering rows, The beakers are drained, the red wine flows; The beakers clash and the servants sing, — A pleasing sound to the moody king. The kings cheeks flush and his wild eyes shine. His spirit waxes bold with wine, Until, by maddening passion stung. He scoffs at God w
. Ballads of bravery. and tyrants can neer make it rest. 124 #S BALLADS OF BRAVERY. Belshazzar. gBpHE midnight hour was drawing on;^^^ Flushed in repose lay Babylon ;W^^p But in the palace of the king The herd of courtiers shout and sing. There, in his royal banquet hall, Belshazzar holds high festival. The servants sit in glittering rows, The beakers are drained, the red wine flows; The beakers clash and the servants sing, — A pleasing sound to the moody king. The kings cheeks flush and his wild eyes shine. His spirit waxes bold with wine, Until, by maddening passion stung. He scoffs at God with impious tongue; And his proud heart swells as he wildly raves, Mid shouts of applause from his fawning slaves. He spoke the word, and his eyes flashed flame ! The ready servants went and came; Vessels of massive gold they bore, Of Jehovahs temple the plundered store. Then seizing a consecrated cup. The king in his fury fills it up ; He fills, and hastily drains it dry; From his foaming lips leaps forth the cry,. OF BRAVERY. 12/ Jehovah, at Thee my scorn I fling! I am Belshazzar, Babylons king. Yet scarce had the impious words been said, When the kings heart shrank with secret dread; Suddenly died the shout and yell, A deathlike hush on the tumult fell. And see ! and see ! on the white wall highThe form of a hand went slowly by,And wrote — and wrote in sight of allLetters of fire upon the wall!The king sat still, with a stony look,His trembling knees with terror shook ;The menial throng nor spoke nor stirred;Fear froze the blood, — no sound was heard. The magicians came, but none of allCould read the writing on the length to solve those words of flame,Fearless, but meek, the prophet glance he gave, and all was clear. King! there is reason in thy words proclaim, thy empire day of woe and wrath in the balance, wanting found,Thou and thy empire strike the ground! That night, by the servants of his train,Belshaz
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpu, booksubjectenglishpoetry
