Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WILLIAM TELL, by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Chains may subdue the feeble spirit, but thee Last Line: For the great work to set thy country free. Subject(s): Alps; Mountains; Switzerland; Tell, William; Hills; Downs (great Britain); Swiss | ||||||||
CHAINS may subdue the feeble spirit, but thee, Tell, of the iron heart! they could not tame; For thou wert of the mountains; they proclaim The everlasting creed of liberty. That creed is written on the untrampled snow, Thundered by torrents which no power can hold, Save that of God, when he sends forth his cold, And breathed by winds that through the free heaven blow. Thou, while thy prison walls were dark around Didst meditate the lesson Nature taught, And to thy brief captivity was brought A vision of thy Switzerland unbound. The bitter cup they mingled strengthened thee For the great work to set thy country free. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ALPINE PICTURE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE PRISONER OF CHILLON by GEORGE GORDON BYRON SWITZERLAND by JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES THE COUNTRY OF A THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE by JAMES INGRAM MERRILL SWITZERLAND AND ITALY by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES THOUGHT OF A BRITON ON THE SUBJUGATION OF SWITZERLAND by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE SWISS EMIGRANT by LUCY AIKEN MONCH AND JUNGFRAU by ANTON ALEXANDER VON AUERSPERG LINES WRITTEN IN SWITZERLAND by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES A FOREST HYMN by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT |
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