I HEAR AN ARMY CHARGING UPON THE LAND
by: James Joyce (1882-1941)
- HEAR an
army charging upon the land,
- And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees:
- Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand,
- Disdaining the reins, with fluttering whips, the charioteers.
-
- They cry unto the night their battle-name:
- I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter.
- They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame,
- Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil.
-
- They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair:
- They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore.
- My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair?
- My love, my love, my love, why have you left me alone?
"I hear an army charging upon
the land" is reprinted from Chamber Music. James
Joyce. London: Elkin Mathews, 1907. |
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