Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON BOSTON COMMON, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON BOSTON COMMON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beneath the boston common elms
Last Line: Calls me to kindred life!
Subject(s): Boston


Beneath the Boston Common elms
A careless crowd invades;
But I, within those shadowy realms,
Consort with noble shades.

I walk with Winthrop, soul of worth,
The governor pioneer;
I show him men from all the earth,
Their motley speech we hear.

I meet Sam Adams now and then,
And Paul Revere the bold,
John Hancock of the mighty pen,
The Minute Men of old.

They ask if Faneuil Hall remains
And echoes, as of yore,
To patriot shouts, to bursting chains,
"Freedom for evermore!"

I stand where ranged the British tent,
Where rowed their boats away
For Lexington and Concord bent
On that historic day.

I see the shattered troops return,
And wonder, as I gaze,
If patriot hearts as hotly burn
As in those ancient days.

And once I met a splendid three, --
Charles Sumner, man of state,
Phillips, the Voice of Liberty,
And Garrison the Great!

"Ah, Boston, Freedom's home," they sighed,
"Still harbors many a slave, --
The slaves of passion, greed, and pride;
And who will seek and save?"

Thus, as that sacred soil I tread,
With mighty memories rife,
The spirit of the heroes dead
Calls me to kindred life!





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