Si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae. Horace Odes Book 3, Ode 3.

A sonnet based on Horace.

Though Mountains Break

Though mountains break and thunder rends the air

Though stars grow dim, and sun forgets its flame

Though dread of ruin darkens with despair

Though every effort ends in loss and shame

Though chaos reigns and all earth’s pillars break

Though seas o’erleap their bounds in angry flight

Though nature’s deepest roots in terror quake

Though every hero’s heart is quenched with fright

Yet we have seen beyond the tempest’s veil

Beyond our vaunted world’s convulsive end

No chaos can the truth of God assail

Nor ruin crush the promise of our Friend

Though stars collapse and night devours the sea

The fearless stand, still crowned with victory.

© 2025 Peter Wales