Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NAPOLEON AFTER WATERLOO by JEAN FRANCOIS CASIMIR DELAVIGNE

First Line: STILL MIGHTST THOU REIGN, IF SUCH HAD BEEN THY WILL
Last Line: THE TYRAND FALLS OR DIES.--SHE KNOWS NO SEPULCHRE.
Subject(s): NAPOLEON I (1769-1821);

STILL mightst thou reign, if such had been thy will;
Thou, Freedom's son, thy mother hast dethroned!
Armed 'gainst her rights by power a moment owned,
Thou hadst resolved her life to crush and kill.
But the tomb dug for her,
Or soon or late, devours the despot still;
The Tyrand falls or dies.--She knows no sepulchre.



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