A great, still Shape, alone,
She sits (her harp has fallen) on the sand,
And sees her children, one by one, depart:—
Her cloak (that hides what sins beside her own!)
Wrapped fold on fold about her. Lo,
She comforts her fierce heart,
As wailing some, and some gay-singing go,
With the far vision of that Greater Land
...
-
-
What then, what if my lips do burn,
Husband, husband;
What though thou see’st my red lips burn,
Why look’st thou with a look so stern,
Husband?It was the keen wind through the reed,
Husband, husband:
’T was wind made sharp with sword-edge reed
That made my tender lips to bleed,
Husband.... -
[1847]
they are dying! they are dying! where the golden corn is growing;
They are dying! they are dying! where the crowded herds are lowing:
They are gasping for existence where the streams of life are flowing,
And they perish of the plague where the breeze of health is blowing!God of justice! God of power!
Do we dream?... -
A Seaside Portrait
A GREAT, still Shape, alone,
She sits (her harp has fallen) on the sand,
And sees her children, one by one, depart:—
Her cloak (that hides what sins beside her own!)
Wrapped fold on fold about her. Lo,
She comforts her fierce heart,
As wailing some, and some gay-singing go,
With the far vision of that... -
From “Epigrams,” Book IV. Epigram 6
I PRAISED the speech, but cannot now abide it,
That warre is sweet to those that have not try’d it;
For I have proved it now and plainly see ’t,
It is so sweet, it maketh all things sweet.
At home Canaric wines and Greek grow lothsome;
Here milk is nectar, water tasteth toothsome.
There without baked,... -
-
A nation's birthday breaks in glory;
Songs from her hills and valleys rise,
And myriad hearts thrill to the story
Of Freedom's wars and victories.
When God's right arm alone was o'er her,
And in his name the patriot band,
...