A Lay Sung at the Feast (14)

    Now on each side the leaders Gave signal for the charge； And on each side the footmen Strode on with lance and targe； And on each side the horsemen Struck their spurs deep in gore, And front to front the armies Met with a mighty roar： And under that great battle The earth with blood was red； And, like the Pomptine fog at morn, The dust hung overhead； And louder still and louder Rose from the darkened field The braying of the war-horns, The clang of sword and shield, The rush of squadrons sweeping Like whirlwinds o'er the plain, The shouting of the slayers, And screeching of the slain.