Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SWORD, by MICHAEL JOSEPH BARRY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SWORD, by                    
First Line: What rights the brave?
Last Line: And keep thee bright for ever!


What rights the brave?
The sword!
What frees the slave?
The sword!
What cleaves in twain
The despot's chain,
And makes his gyves and dungeon vain?
The sword!

CHORUS.

Then cease thy proud task never,
While rests a link to sever!
Guard of the free,
We'll cherish thee,
And keep thee bright for ever!

What checks the knave?
The sword!
What smites to save?
The sword!
What wreaks the wrong
Unpunished long,
At last, upon the guilty strong?
The sword!

CHORUS.

Then cease thy proud task never, etc.

What shelters right?
The sword!
What makes it might?
The sword!
What strikes the crown
Of tyrants down,
And answers with its flash their frown?
The sword!

CHORUS.

Then cease thy proud task never, etc.
Still be thou true,
Good sword!
We'll die or do,
Good sword!
Leap forth to light,
If tyrants smite,
And trust our arms to wield thee right,
Good sword!

CHORUS.

Yes! cease thy proud task never,
While rests a link to sever!
Guard of the free,
We'll cherish thee,
And keep thee bright for ever!





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