The racking clouds were fleeting fast Upon the bosom of the blast
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In wild confusion fiercely driven Fled they across the face of heaven The fitful gust came shrieking high,
The rattling rain flew driving by But where the horizon stretched away Towards the couch of parting day A streak of paly light was seen The heaped and darkling clouds between
Against that light, for time full brief Brussels arose in dark relief Colossal on the western fire Seemed massive towʼr and slender spire Nearer, and nearer as we drew
More strongly marked the outlines grew, Till of the buildings, you might see, Distinct the Gothic tracerie The drawbridge rung, we passed the gate,
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And regal Brussels entered straight
It stirs, to see the human tide That marks a city in its pride That fitful oceans eddying sweep Is still more changeful than the deep For those dark billows as they roll
Mark movements of the human soul. Yet in that city, there was none, Of that confused and busy hum, That tells of traffic, and of trade No, Brussels time of powʼr was sped
Yet in her streets was something seen Spoke what the city once had been Our rapid course as now we wheel Where rose the huge hotel de ville
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The noble spires proportions high
Stood forth upon the cloudy sky, In all its fretted majesty And his last light the sun had sent On buttress and on battlement That while the houses were arrayed
In all the depth of twilight shade, Yet shot there faint a yellow glow Where the tall arches shafted show Glimmered a moment there the ray, Then fainter grew, and past away
Brussels, thy battlements have been Of many an action strange the scene Thou sawst on Julys dreadful night
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The veterans rushing to the fight Thou heardest when the word was spoken
At midnight thy repose was broken By tramp of men and neigh of steed Battalions bursting forth to bleed Till the dark phalanx waving crest Forth from thy gates was forward prest
And breaking with the morning mild The disant roar of battle wild. And later still the rabble shout And revolutions riot rout Leaving such marks as long shall tell