Note ne — POEMS 1814-1816.
Reading edition
{421}
1. The red light glows, the wassail flows, Around the royal hall; And who, on earth, dare mar the mirth Of that high festival? The prophet dares—before thee glows— Belshazzar rise, nor dare despise The writing on the wall! 2 Thy vice might raise th' avenging steel, Thy meanness shield thee from the blow— And they who loathe thee proudly feel.—[MS.]