Chapter 2 No.2

Hearken to the steady stamp!

Mars is in their every tramp!

Not a step is out of tune,

As the tides obey the moon!

On they march, though to self-slaughter,

Regular as rolling water,

Whose high-waves o'ersweep the border

Of huge moles, but keep their order,20

Breaking only rank by rank.

Hearken to the armour's clank!

Look down o'er each frowning warrior,

How he glares upon the barrier:

Look on each step of each ladder,

As the stripes that streak an adder.