Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GREEK SONG: 5. THE URN AND SWORD, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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GREEK SONG: 5. THE URN AND SWORD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: They sought for treasures in the tomb
Last Line: With freedom's sword, and valor's dust.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Greece; Greeks


THEY sought for treasures in the tomb,
Where gentler hands were wont to spread
Fresh boughs and flowers of purple bloom,
And sunny ringlets, for the dead.

They scattered far the greensward heap,
Where once those hands the bright wine poured,
-- What found they in the home of sleep? --
A mouldering urn, a shivered sword!

An urn, which held the dust of one
Who died when hearths and shrines were free;
A sword, whose work was proudly done
Between our mountains and the sea.

And these are treasures! -- undismayed,
Still for the suffering land we trust,
Wherein the past its fame hath laid,
With freedom's sword, and valor's dust.





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