Classic Poem

The man of gold and iron spake the word,
And straight there flocked from many a land and far
A motley host — from where the great white Czar
Bestrides two continents as priest and lord,
The Roman, and the race of them whose sword
Smote Rome to dust, Arminius, Attila,
And Celtic Brennus, summoned now to war
On rocks and streams and trees — and the patient horde
Of ancient China. Armed with axe and spade
They storm the mountain height — the rocky walls
Are rent in twain; the torrent's rage is stayed,
The pine tree bows his stately head and falls,
While silent o'er the stir and din on high
The lonely peaks unconscious cleave the sky.