American Poetry
A FRAGMENT,
(Written in her fifteenth year.)
Must every shore ring boldly to the voice
Of sweet poetic harmony, save this?
Rouse thee, America! for shame! for shame!
Gather thy infant bands, and rise to join
Thy glimmering taper to the holy flame:—
Such honour, if no other, may be thine.
Shall Gallia's children sing beneath the yoke?
Shall Ireland's harpstrings thrill, though all unstrung?.
And must America, her bondage broke,
Oppression's blood-stains from her garment wrung,
Must she be silent? — who may then rejoice?
If she be tuneless, Harmony, farewell!
Oh! shame, America! wild freedom's voice
Echoes, 'shame on thee,' from her wild-wood dell.
Shall conquered Greece still sing her glories past?
Shall humbled Italy in ruins smile?
And canst thou then —
poem by Lucretia Maria Davidson
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Also see the following:
- quotes about childhood
- quotes about Ireland
- quotes about Greece
- quotes about Italy
- quotes about honor
- quotes about time
- quotes about voice
- quotes about fire
- quotes about freedom
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