For fear the roof should fall.

Back, Robins, back! Crump, stand aloof!

Whitford, keep near the walls!

Huggins, regard your own behoof,

For, lo! the blazing rocking roof

Down, down, in thunder falls!

An awful pause succeeds the stroke,

And o'er the ruins volumed smoke,

Rolling around its pitchy shroud,

Conceal'd them from th' astonish'd crowd.