With bright-hued hopes upon my vision shine?

88. NATIONAL CONVULSIONS, 1849.

The tempest rages through the earth around,

Tossing the ocean into mountain waves:

Thrones shake and totter, as the storm-wind raves,

And mightiest empires tremble at the sound:

Man has no structure on the solid ground,

Which bides the tumult, or its fury braves: