Long have I searched the Earth for liberty In desert places and lands far abroad Where neither Kings nor constables should be, Nor any law of Man, alas, or God. Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood, These were my quarries which eternally Fled from my footsteps fast as I pursued, Sad phantoms of desire by land and sea. See, it is ended. Sick and overborne By foes and fools, and my long chase, I lie. Here, in these walls, with all life's souls forlorn Herded I wait,—and in my ears the cry, "Alas, poor brothers, equal in Man's scorn And free in God's good liberty to die." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SERE AND YELLOW LEAF by KAREN SWENSON TOMORROW by FELIX LOPE DE VEGA CARPIO FAREWELL OF A VIRGINIA SLAVE MOTHER TO HER DAUGHTERS SOLD INTO BONDAGE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER EPITAPH by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE EPIGRAM by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS TO MR. BOWRING ON HIS POETICAL TRANSLATIONS by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD GRANDFATHER WATTS'S PRIVATE FOURTH by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER AN ADMONITION AGAINST SWEARING, ADDRESSED TO AN OFFICER IN THE ARMY by JOHN BYROM |