第34章

Andthetrumpet-notesweresprungRapturousforthechargeinline：

Shelaywaiting：fairasdawnWrappedinfoldsofnightshelay；

Secret，lustrous；flaglikethere，Waitinghimtostreamandray，Withonelooseningblushoutflung，ColoursofhishordesofhorseRankedforcombat；stillhehungLikethefeverdreadingair，Cursedofheat；andasacorseGathersvultures，inhisbrainImagesofhereyesandkissPluckedatthelimbsthatcouldremainLoiteringnighthedoorsofbliss。

MakethebedforAttila!

Passionononehand，onone，DestinyledforththeHun。

Heardyeoutcriesofaffright，Voicesthatthroughmanyafray，Inthepressofflagandspear，Warnedthekingofperilnear？

Menweredumb，theygavehimway，Eagerheadstoleftandright，Likethebeardedstandard，thrust，Asinbattle，foranodFromtheirlordofbattle-dust。

Attila，myAttila!

Slowbetweenthelineshetrod。

SawyenotthesundropslowOnthisnuptialday，ereevePiercedhimonthecouchaglow？

Attila，myAttila!

HereandtherehisheartwouldcleaveClottedmemoryforaspace：

Somestoutchief’sfamiliarface，Choicestofhisfightingbrood，Touchedhim，as’twereonetoknowErehemethisbride’sembrace。

Attila，myAttila!

TwistingfingersinabeardScantaswinterunderwood，Withanarrowedeyehepeered；

Likethesunset’sgraverredUpoldpine-stems。GravehestoodEyeingthemonwhomwasshedBurninglightfromhimalone。

Attila，myAttila!

RedweretheywhosemouthsrecalledWheretheslaughtermountedhigh，Highonit，o’erearthappalled，He；heaven’sfingerintheirsightRaisinghimonwavesofdead，Uptoheavenhistrumpetsblown。

OforthetimewhenGod’sdelightCrownedtheheadofAttila!

HungryrerofthecragStretchinghandsforearthhecame：

ForceandSpeedastridehisnamePointedbacktospearandflag。

Hecameoutofmiraclecloud，Lightning-swiftandspectre-lean。

Nowthosedaysareinashroud：

Havehimtohisghostlyqueen。

MakethebedforAttila!

One，withwinecupsoverstrung，CriedhimfarewellinRome’stongue。

Who？forthegreatkingturnedasthoughWrathtotheshaft’sheadstrainedthebow。

Nay，notwraththekingpossessed，Butaradianceofthebreast。

InthatsoundhehadthekeyOfhiscunningmalady。

Lo，wheregleamedthesapphirelake，Leo，withhisRomeatstake，Drewblankairtohuesandforms；

WhereofTwothatshonedistinct，Linkedasorbedstarsarelinked，Clearamongthemyriadswarms，Inaconstellation，dashedFullonhorseandrider’seyesSunlesslight，butlightitwas-

Lightthatblindedandabashed，Frozehismembers，badehimpause，Caughthimmid-gallop，blazedhimhome。

Attila，myAttila!

Whatarestreamsthatceasetoflow？

WhatwasAttila，rolledthence，Cheatedbyajuggler’sshow？

Likethatlakeofblueintense，Undertempestlashedtofoam，Luridradiance，ashepassed，Filledhim，andaroundwasglassed，Whendeep-voicedheuttered，Rome!

Rome!thewordwas：andlikemeatFlungtodogsthewordwastorn。

SoonRome’smagicpriestsshallbleatRoundtheirmagicPopeforlorn!

LoudtheysworethekinghadswornVengeanceontheRomancheat，Erehepassed，as，graveandstill，Danubethroughtheshoutinghill：

Swornitbyhisnakedlife!

Eagle，snakesthesewomenare：

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