IhaveneverseenVolcanoesquot

I have never seen Volcanoes --

But, when Travellers tell

How those old -- phlegmatic mountains

Usually so still --

Bear within -- appalling Ordnance,

Fire, and smoke, and gun,

Taking Villages for breakfast,

And appalling Men --

If the stillness is Volcanic

In the human face

When upon a pain Titanic

Features keep their place --

If at length the smouldering anguish

Will not overcome --

And the palpitating Vineyard

In the dust, be thrown?

If some loving Antiquary,

On Resumption Morn,

Will not cry with joy Pompeii!

To the Hills return!