Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893.
Birds of PassageFlight the Third. The Challenge
I
Of a story, that is told
In some ancient Spanish legend
Or chronicle of old.
Was before Zamora slain,
And his great besieging army
Lay encamped upon the plain.
Sallied forth in front of all,
And shouted loud his challenge
To the warders on the wall.
Both the born and the unborn,
As traitors did he challenge
With taunting words of scorn.
And in their graves, the dead!
And the waters of their rivers,
And their wine, and oil, and bread!
That besets us round with strife,
A starving, numberless army,
At all the gates of life.
Who challenge our wine and bread,
And impeach us all as traitors,
Both the living and the dead.
Where the feast and song are high,
Amid the mirth and the music
I can hear that fearful cry.
Look into the lighted hall,
And wasted hands are extended
To catch the crumbs that fall.
And odors fill the air;
But without there is cold and darkness,
And hunger and despair.
In wind and cold and rain,
Christ, the great Lord of the army,
Lies dead upon the plain!