Classic Poem

He burst through the ice-pillared gates of the north,
And away on his hurricane wings he rushed forth;
He exulted all free in his might and his speed,
He mocked at the lion and taunted the steed;
He whistled along, througHeach cranny and creek;
He whirled o'er the mountains with hollow-toned shriek;
The arrow and eagle were laggard behind,
And alone in his flight sped the King of the Wind.

He swept o'er the earth—the tall battlements fell,
And he laughed, as they crumbled, with maniac yell;
The broad oak of the wood dared to wrestle again,
Till, wild in his fury, he hurled it in twain;
He grappled with pyramids, works of an age,
And dire records were left of his havoc and rage.
No power could brave him, no fetters could bind;
Supreme in his sway was the King of the Wind.

He careered o'er the waters with death and despair,
He wrecked the proud ship and his triumph was there
The cheeks that had blanched not at foeman or blade
At the sound of his breathing turned pale and afraid;
He rocked the stanch lighthouse, he shivered the mast,
He howled—the strong life-boat in fragments was cast;
And he roared in his glory, “Where, where will ye find
A despot so great as the King of the Wind.”