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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WATCHMAN, by MARGARET SACKVILLE Poet's Biography First Line: Watchman, the judgment is at hand, give warning Last Line: "stands not a stone." Subject(s): Death; Peace; Watchmen; Dead, The | |||
"WATCHMAN, the judgment is at hand, give warning, With a loud voice and deep; The kings, the priests, the people of the city Are all asleep. "Friend, in a loud voice have I cried my warning To those who sleeping lie, Only a few, sad watchers in the twilight Heed what I cry." "Babylon has fallen—that great city— How, then, shall these escape, When in the foaming trough of the Lord's Wine-Press Is pressed the grape?" "Babylon, Babylon has surely fallen, But these shall slumber on, Till of the mighty walls their hands have builded, Stands not a stone." "Only a few sad watchers in the silence, And men who dream by day, Have heard: the kings—the people of the city Still turn away." "Watchman, can any man defeat the judgment?" "Neither with sword nor spear." "And the end?" "Is the trumpet of the Resurrection The dead shall leap to hear." "How are they armed who come against the city?" "Their name is Peace— They come like a great wind of the world's awakening To bring release!" "Only the kings—the people of the city Shall slumber on, Till of the mighty walls their hands have builded Stands not a stone." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND |
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