@3Ere Cabot's prow was westward turned, Before old Hudson came, Upon this island acre burned The Red Man's council flame. Then here the settler's cattle grazed Along the bowered track; And here his bell-mouthed musket blazed And drove the savage back. But yonder rose the gallows-tree Where, calm and fearless-eyed, Our first sad pledge to Liberty, Great-hearted Leisler died. And hither flocked from shops and farms, When Freedom's summons flew, Those large-boned, sun-browned men-at-arms That wore the buff and blue. Oh, build your walls, for build you will, On earth less dearly known; Leave this one spot unburdened still With tyrant steel and stone! -- A scroll whereon brave youth shall trace Brave deeds of days gone by, A shrine, a little, hallowed space Unroofed beneath the sky.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CALL by ANNYE LEWIS ALLISON I LIFT MY CANDLE by ELLEN ANDERSON IN THE STILLNESS O' THE NIGHT by WILLIAM BARNES A RONDEAU OF REGRETS by HENRI BAUDE KING EDWARD THE THIRD by WILLIAM BLAKE |