WAKE a deed of other days; Swell the song of lofty praise; Gratitude's bright goblet raise, — Pledge to LAFAYETTE! — Him, who left his own fair land, By your fathers' sides to stand, When Oppression's guilty brand In their blood was wet: — Him, who shared their hour of woe; Him, who dealt with them each blow, Till young Freedom's beaten foe Turned his back and fled. Lo! again behold him here! He, who came the sires to cheer, Joins their sons the pile to rear O'er the mighty dead. That gray pile shall melt away, Tomb and tablet shall decay, Yet shall glory's deed and day Never set in night. Where your martyred heroes sleep, Children's children long shall weep; There shall pilgrim warriors keep Vigils, ever bright. Sons of Art! the table throng; — Swell your glad and grateful song; Let its echoes, loud and long, Up to Heaven ascend! Never may your hearts forget Freeman's duty — freeman's debt: Fill the cup to LAFAYETTE; — Pledge your fathers' friend! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BETWEEN THE LINES by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON THE VOICE OF SPRING by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS A UTILITARIAN VIEW OF THE MONITOR'S FIGHT by HERMAN MELVILLE THE BELLS OF YOUTH by WILLIAM SHARP ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 24 by PHILIP SIDNEY DARBY AND JOAN by FREDERIC EDWARD WEATHERLY JOHN CHARLES FREMONT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER A JEWISH FAMILY; IN A SMALL VALLEY OPPOSITE ST. GOAR by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |