Discordant howls the warning bell, Proclaiming discord wide and far, And, born but things of peace to tell, Becomes the ghastliest voice of war: "Freedom! Equality!"--to blood Rush the roused people at the sound! Through street, hall, palace, roars the flood, And banded murder closes round! The hyena-shapes (that women were!), Jest with the horrors they survey; They hound--they rend--they mangle there-- As panthers with their prey! Naught rests to hollow--burst the ties Of life's sublime and reverent awe; Before the vice the virtue flies, And universal crime is law! Man fears the lion's kingly tread; Man fears the tiger's fangs of terror; And still the dreadliest of the dread, Is man himself in error! No torch, though lit from heaven, illumes The blind!--Why place it in his hand? It lights not him--it but consumes The city and the land! Rejoice and laud the prospering skies! The kernel bursts its husk--behold From the dull clay the metal rise, Pure-shining, as a star of gold! Neck and lip, but as one beam, It laughs like a sunbeam. And even the scutcheon, clear-graven, shall tell That the art of a master has fashioned the bell! Come in--come in My merry men--we'll form a ring The new-born labor christening; And "Concord" we will name her!-- To union may her heartfelt call In brother-love attune us all! May she the destined glory win For which the master sought to frame her-- Aloft--(all earth's existence under), In blue-pavillioned heaven afar To dwell--the neighbor of the thunder, The borderer of the star! Be hers above a voice to rise Like those bright hosts in yonder sphere, Who, while they move, their Maker praise, And lead around the wreathed year! To solemn and eternal things We dedicate her lips sublime!-- As hourly, calmly, on she swings Fanned by the fleeting wings of time!-- No pulse--no heart--no feeling hers! She lends the warning voice to fate; And still companions, while she stirs, The changes of the human state! So may she teach us, as her tone But now so mighty, melts away-- That earth no life which earth has known From the last silence can delay! Slowly now the cords upheave her! From her earth-grave soars the bell; Mid the airs of heaven we leave her! In the music-realm to dwell! Up--upwards yet raise-- She has risen--she sways. Fair bell to our city bode joy and increase, And oh, may thy first sound be hallowed to peace! [47] THE POWER OF SONG.