NOT 'mid the world's vain objects that enslave The free-born Soul -- that World whose vaunted skill In selfish interest perverts the will, Whose factions lead astray the wise and brave -- Not there; but in dark wood and rocky cave, And hollow vale which foaming torrents fill With omnipresent murmur as they rave Down their steep beds, that never shall be still: Here, mighty Nature! in this school sublime I weigh the hopes and fears of suffering Spain; For her consult the auguries of time, And through the human heart explore my way; And look and listen -- gathering, whence I may, Triumph, and thoughts no bondage can restrain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BARMAID AND THE ALEXANDRITE by KAREN SWENSON SOULS LAKE by ROBERT STUART FITZGERALD THE BROWN THRUSH by LUCY LARCOM A WALK AT SUNSET by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE DEAN OF FACULTY by ROBERT BURNS VERMONT WILL DO HER PART by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY HIS DAUGHTER, DYING ON HER FATHER'S BIRTHDAY by HENRY CAREY (1687-1743) |