Fierce raged Destruction, sweeping o'er the land, And the last counted moment seem'd at hand: As scales near equal hang in earnest eyes In doubtful balance, which shall fall or rise, So, in the moment of that crushing blast, Eyes, hearts, and hopes paused trembling for the last. Loud burst the thunder's clap and yawning rents Gash'd the frail garments of the elements; Then sudden whirlwinds, wing'd with purple flame And lightning's flash, in stronger terrors came, Burning all life and Nature where they fell, And leaving earth as desolate as hell. The pleasant hues of woods and fields were past, And Nature's beauties had enjoyed their last: The colour'd flower, the green of field and tree, What they had been for ever ceased to be: Clouds, raining fire, scorched up the hissing dews; Grass shrivell'd brown in miserable hues; Leaves fell to ashes in the air's hot breath, And all awaited universal Death. The sleepy birds, scared from their mossy nest, Beat through the evil air in vain for rest; And many a one, the withering shades among, Wakened to perish o'er its brooded young. The cattle, startled with the sudden fright, Sicken'd from food, and madden'd into flight; And steed and beast in plunging speed pursued The desperate struggle of the multitude, The faithful dogs yet knew their owners' face. And cringing follow'd with a fearful pace, Joining the piteous yell with panting breath, While blasting lightnings follow'd fast with death; Then, as Destruction stopt the vain retreat, They dropp'd, and dying lick'd their masters' feet. When sudden thunders paus'd, loud went the shriek, And groaning agonies, too much to speak, From hurrying mortals, who with ceaseless fears Recall'd the errors of their vanish'd years; Flying in all directions, hope bereft, Followed by dangers that would not be left; Offering wild vows, and begging loud for aid, Where none was nigh to help them when they pray'd. None stood to listen, or to soothe a friend, But all complained, and sorrow had no end. Sons from their fathers, fathers sons did fly, The strongest fled, and left the weak to die; Pity was dead: none heeded for another; Brother left brother, and the frantic mother For fruitless safety hurried east and west, And dropp'd the babe to perish from her breast; All howling prayers that would be noticed never, And craving mercy that was fled for ever; While earth, in motion like a troubled sea, Open'd in gulfs of dread immensity Amid the wild confusions of despair, And buried deep the howling and the prayer Of countless multitudes, and closed--and then Open'd and swallow'd multitudes again.