Passing the Alps.

To day we pass the Alps, 1 to day
High oer the barrier winds our way

Ruskin's line number

325

The barrier of boundless length 2
The Queen of nations, 3 in her strength
Considered its recesses lone

System generated line number

5

Beseeming bulwark for her throne
Until her Carthaginian foe

Ruskin's line number

330

Had soiled the yet unsullied snow
The eagle drove from her retreat
And woke the echoes from their sleep

System generated line number

10

That neer had answered before
Save to the Avalanches roar. 4

Ruskin's line number

335

Methinks upon the mountain side
I see the billows of that tide
Of men and horses headlong driven

System generated line number

15

As clouds before the blast of heaven
That ever change their hurrying form

Ruskin's line number

340

In dark foreboding of the storm
When the low suns last light is shed
In glowing streaks of swarthy red

System generated line number

20

And from his cave with fitful swell
Wakes the wild tempest sounding shell

Ruskin's line number

345

So see the plumes in dark array
Roll on their yet untrodden way
Unbroken, yet with dreadful sweep

System generated line number

25

Mark you that stormy changeful deep
Wave after wave is eddying on

Ruskin's line number

350

And crested casque, and morion,
Flash frequent, as the lightning flies
Among the armies of the skies.

System generated line number

30

But fiercer storm is gathering now
Than ever broke on Alpine brow

Ruskin's line number

355

And wild shall the confusion be
The strife of that tremendous sea,
When bursting from the Alpine chain,

System generated line number

35

It meets the storm on Cannæs plain.— 5