Chapter II

"Drifting of smoke wreath, darting of flame;
The fire-fiend is working his way;
And the ghastly glare o'er the gates of dawn,
Streaks far on the opening day.
The stairway has fallen, the rafters yield,
The flooring is creaking o'erhead;
Yet the stout stone wall as a sentry stands,
Though the surges of battle outspread.

"But lo! from the casement, wide open thrown,
By loving hands carefully bound,
A basket live-freighted is hastily launched
Through flashes of flame to the ground.
Kindled is courage, strong effort revives,
Grim death and destruction are braved;--
What matter the crash of that falling roof!
Dear life, in its lustre is saved."