I have never seen "Volcanoes" — (175) BY EMILY DICKINSON

  I have never seen "Volcanoes" — (175)

BY EMILY DICKINSON

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!