An Alpine Descent. Samuel Rogers (1763-1855). IV. Inland Waters: Highlands. Bliss Carman, et al., eds. 1904. The World's Best Poetry. V. Nature

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904.

IV. Inland Waters: Highlands

An Alpine Descent

Samuel Rogers (1763–1855)


MY mule refreshed, his bells
Jingled once more, the signal to depart,
And we set out in the gray light of dawn,
Descending rapidly,—by waterfalls
Fast frozen, and among huge blocks of ice	5
That in their long career had stopt midway;
At length, unchecked, unbidden, he stood still,
And all his bells were muffled. Then my guide,
Lowering his voice, addressed me:—“Through this chasm
On, and say nothing,—for a word, a breath,	10
Stirring the air, may loosen and bring down
A winter’s snow,—enough to overwhelm
The horse and foot that, night and day, defiled
Along this path to conquer at Marengo.”