Emily Dickinson

I have never seen "Volcanoes" — (175)

I have never seen "Volcanoes" — But, when Travellers tell How those old — phlegmatic mountains Usually so still — Bear within — appalling Ordnance, Fire, and smoke, and gun, Taking Villages for breakfast, And appalling Men — If the stillness is Volcanic In the human face When upon a pain Titanic Features keep their place — If at length the smouldering anguish Will not overcome — And the palpitating Vineyard In the dust, be thrown? If some loving Antiquary, On Resumption Morn, Will not cry with joy "Pompeii"! To the Hills return!