Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HARP OF WALES; INSCRIBED RUTHIN WELSH LITERARY SOCIETY, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HARP OF WALES; INSCRIBED RUTHIN WELSH LITERARY SOCIETY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Harp of the mountain-land! Sound forth again
Last Line: Thou noble harp! Thy tones are not to cease!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Harps; Musical Instruments; Wales; Lyres; Welshmen; Welshwomen


HARP of the mountain-land! sound forth again
As when the foaming Hirlas horn was crowned,
And warrior hearts beat proudly to the strain,
And the bright mead at Owain's feast went round:
Wake with the spirit and the power of yore!
Harp of the ancient hills! be heard once more!

Thy tones are not to cease! The Roman came
O'er the blue waters with his thousand oars
Through Mona's oaks he sent the wasting flame;
The Druid shrines lay prostrate on our shores:
All gave their ashes to the wind and sea --
Ring out, thou harp! he could not silence thee.

Thy tones are not to cease! The Saxon passed,
His banners floated on Eryri's gales;
But thou wert heard above the trumpet's blast,
E'en when his towers rose loftiest o'er the vales!
Thine was the voice that cheered the brave and free;
They had their hills, their chainless hearts, and thee.

Those were dark years! -- They saw the valiant fall,
The rank weeds gathering round the chieftain's board,
The hearth left lonely in the ruined hall --
Yet power was thine -- a gift in every chord!
Call back that spirit to the days of peace,
Thou noble harp! thy tones are not to cease!





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