Bear with us then a moment, if we turn From all the present splendours of this place, -- The lofty towers that like a dream have grown Where once old Nassau Hall stood all alone, -- Back to that ancient time, with hearts that burn In filial reverence and pride, to trace The glory of our Mother's best degree, In that "high son of Liberty," Who like a granite block Riven from Scotland's rock Stood loyal here to keep Columbia free. Born far away beyond the ocean's roar, He found his fatherland upon this shore; And every drop of ardent blood that ran Through his great heart was true American. He held no weak allegiance to a distant throne. But made his new-found country's cause his own; In peril and distress, In toil and weariness, When darkness overcast her With shadows of disaster, And voices of confusion Proclaimed her hope delusion, Robed in his preacher's gown, He dared the danger down; Like some old prophet chanting an inspired rune, Through freedom's councils rang the voice of Witherspoon. And thou, my country, write it on thy heart: Thy sons are they who nobly take thy part; Who dedicates his manhood at thy shrine, Wherever born, is born a son of thine. Foreign in name, but not in soul, they come To find in thee their long-desired home; Lovers of liberty, and haters of disorder, They shall be built in strength along thy border. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE VALLEY BROOK by JOHN HOWARD BRYANT ITALY SWEET TOO! by JOHN KEATS A STRIP OF BLUE by LUCY LARCOM IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 7 by ALFRED TENNYSON STANZAS TO AN AFFECTIONATE AND PIOUS PARENT, ON THE DEATH OF HER CHILD by BERNARD BARTON OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 29 by THOMAS CAMPION THE IMMIGRANT by MARGUERITE CHAPMAN |