Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNETS ON EMINENT CHARACTERS: 5. KOSKIUSKO, by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNETS ON EMINENT CHARACTERS: 5. KOSKIUSKO, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O what a loud and fearful shriek was there
Last Line: In the mere wilfulness, and sick despair of soul!
Subject(s): Kosciuszko, Thaddeus (1746-1817)


O what a loud and fearful shriek was there,
As though a thousand souls one death-groan poured!
Ah me! they saw beneath a hireling's sword
Their Koskiusko fall! Through the swart air
(As pauses the tired Cossac's barbarous yell
Of triumph) on the chill and midnight gale
Rises with frantic burst or sadder swell
The dirge of murdered Hope! while Freedom pale
Bends in such anguish o'er her destined bier,
As if from eldest time some Spirit meek
Had gathered in a mystic urn each tear
That ever on a Patriot's furrowed cheek
Fit channel found, and she had drained the bowl
In the mere wilfulness, and sick despair of soul!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net