Aurora Borealis

by Herman Melville

　　

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Commemorative of the Dissolution of armies at the Peace! May, 1865What power disbands the Northern Lights After their steely play?The lonely watcher feels an awe Of Nature's sway, As when appearing, He marked their flashed uprearing In the cold gloom— Retreatings and advancings,(Like dallyings of doom), Transitions and enhancings, And bloody ray.The phantom-host has faded quite, Splendor and Terror gonePortent or promise—and gives way To pale, meek Dawn; The coming, going, Alike in wonder showing— Alike the God, Decreeing and commandingThe million blades that glowed, The muster and disbanding— Midnight and Morn.

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