George Croly

Nelson’s Pillar

THERE is a gloomy splendor in the sun,
  That levels his last beam along the shore;
The clouds are rolling downwards stern and dun;
  The long, slow wave is streaked with red, like gore
On some vast field of battle; and the roar
  Of wave and wind comes like the battle’s sound.
From the sea’s verge a column seems to soar,
  A shaft of silver, on whose summit, wound
With golden beams, sits Britain’s Image, throned and crowned!

And now the sun sinks deeper; and the clouds,
  In folds of purple fire, still heavier lower;
Till sudden storm the shore and ocean shrouds.
  But o’er the darkness glows that stately tower,
A giant height, on which the sunbeams shower
  Their undiminished glories. Nelson’s name
Is on the column. Thus the battle’s hour
  But showed the splendor of his spirit’s flame,
Thus in earth’s final light shall blaze the hero’s fame.