O Thou Lion! Poem by Marlin Nightingale

O thou lion crouching still,
Raging fire could ne'er infill
Fear in hearts: as can thy eyes,
Fearless, somber, undisguised!

What doth set thy face as stone?
Carves your features? Til' as one
They become a menaced scowl,
No creature lies where thou dost prowl!

How thy face is wreathed by mane!
Crowns thee king of thy domain!
Casts a shadow cross thy foe!
Deals a dreadful morale blow!

Vaunted with a pride of grace,
You embody all your race.
Stately stride and bounding paws,
Vicious teeth and iron jaws!

Roar of hate displays thy might!
Owns the darkness of thy night!
Haunts the hearts of quivering prey!
Keeps the fiercest fiend away!