On the Rigi

While still the cloud hung coldly, and the May
    Glad in the vales no mountain-heights had
        crowned,
    Between the dappled patches, lo! I found
A little army, whose white-plumed array
Possessed the field, victorious from the fray
    With surly winter; long beneath the ground
    In patient hiding, at a sudden bound
These tiny soldierlings had won the day.

No banner lifted, and no bugle blew,
  Yet down their ranks a movement seemed to run;
    The white plumes nodded, each was seen to
        hold
    Within his hand three dainty spears of gold:
Then first the cause of victory I knew,
  Their legions owned no leader but the Sun!    

(Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy, p. 21)