Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ODE, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: God save the rights of man Last Line: Her hearts of oak! Subject(s): Freedom; French Revolution (1789); Genet, Edmond Charles (1763-1834); Soldiers; Liberty | ||||||||
God save the Rights of Man! Give us a heart to scan Blessings so dear: Let them be spread around Wherever man is found, And with the welcome sound Ravish his ear. Let us with France agree, And bid the world be free, While tyrants fall! Let the rude savage host Of their vast numbers boast -- Freedom's almighty trust Laughs at them all! Though hosts of slaves conspire To quench fair Gallia's fire, Still shall they fail: Though traitors round her rise, Leagu'd with her enemies, To war each patriot flies, And will prevail. No more is valor's flame Devoted to a name, Taught to adore -- Soldiers of Liberty Disdain to bow the knee, But teach Equality To every shore. The world at last will join To aid thy grand design, Dear Liberty! To Russia's frozen lands The generous flame expands: On Afric's burning sands Shall man be free! In this our western world Be Freedom's flag unfurl'd Through all its shores! May no destructive blast Our heaven of joy o'ercast, May Freedom's fabric last While time endures. If e'er her cause require! -- Should tyrants e'er aspire To aim their stroke, May no proud despot daunt -- Should he his standard plant, Freedom will never want Her hearts of oak! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU |
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