ONE morn, when orient beams were bright, Just rising on the wakened world, I saw our flag of glorious light Its roll of beauty wave unfurled. High blazed in air the flaming fold And starry azure to the breeze, Triumphant as o'er fields of old And victor on the conquered seas. Refulgent thus in morning's ray, Methought that standard still should sweep. Pour on old lands a new-born day, And freight with freedom all the deep. But soon, descending on the morn, Some lurid cloud embattled flew, Rent the wild skies, by thunders torn, And all its gathered deluge threw; Still, as in battle's fiery front, I saw my country's flag unrolled Meet the dread storm's impetuous brunt, And fling the tempest from its fold. And thus, methought, though factions rage, That glorious standard still shall wave, Hope of the world, through age on age, And only sink in Freedom's grave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE FISHERS by CHARLES KINGSLEY THE VETERAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE HERO by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR |