Arthur Henry Adams - A.D. 19—? lyrics

AS in some quiet city bathed in sleep, Where like a kiss the twilight lingereth, When suddenly the earth stirs far beneath— Just moves, then pauses—and a silence deep Falls on all ere the second shock should sweep Spire, column, pinnacle to shapeless d**h! And white face peers at white face, and no breath Is drawn, and every heart forgets to leap! So now across this quiet, dreaming world The first faint shock has thrilled; and men, aghast, Wait for the second, whose blind forces pent Shall in one last convulsion find their vent; And all the builded fabrics of the past Shall be in ruins on their builders hurled.