Up The Line

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2>UP THE LINE.</h2> <p>Through blinding storm and clouds of night,<br/> We swiftly pushed our restless flight;<br/> With thundering hoof and warning neigh,<br/> We urged our steed upon his way<br/> Up the line.</p> <p>Afar the lofty head-light gleamed;<br/> Afar the whistle shrieked and screamed;<br/> And glistening bright, and rising high,<br/> Our flakes of fire bestrewed the sky,<br/> Up the line.</p> <p>Adown the long, complaining track,<br/> Our wheels a message hurried back;<br/> And quivering through the rails ahead,<br/> Went news of our resistless tread,<br/> Up the line.</p> <p>The trees gave back our din and shout,<br/> And flung their shadow arms about;<br/> And shivering in their coats of gray,<br/> They heard us roaring far away,<br/> Up the line.</p> <p>The wailing storm came on apace,<br/> And dashed its tears into our fade;<br/> But steadily still we pierced it through,<br/> And cut the sweeping wind in two,<br/> Up the line.</p> <p>A rattling rush across the ridge,<br/> A thunder-peal beneath the bridge;<br/> And valley and hill and sober plain<br/> Re-echoed our triumphant strain,<br/> Up the line.</p> <p>And when the Eastern streaks of gray<br/> Bespoke the dawn of coming day,<br/> We halted our steed, his journey o'er,<br/> And urged his giant form no more,<br/> Up the line.</p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />