Above the wild assailants of the steep!

Along the solid rear a dull boom runs!

So light horse squadrons charge beneath the guns.

Now once again the night is deathly still.

What ghastly peace upon the zenith hill,

No longer starry? Not a sound is heard.

So poised the hush, it seems a whispered word

Might loose all noises in an avalanche.

Only the black mass moves, and far glooms blanch

With fitful flashes. The capricious flare