I " My suffering country shall be freed , And shine with tenfold glory!" So spake the gallant Winkelried, Renowned in German story. "No tyrant, even of kingly grade, Shall cross or darken my way!" Out flashed his blade, and so he made For Freedom's course a highway! II We want a man like this, with pow'r To rouse the world by one word; We want a chief to meet the hour, And march the masses onward. But, chief or none, through blood and fire, My fatherland, lies thy way! The men must fight who dare desire For Freedom's course a highway! III Alas! I can but idly gaze Around in grief and wonder, The people's will alone can raise The people's shout of thunder. Too long, my friends, you faint for fear, In secret crypt and by-way; At last be men! Stand forth and clear For Freedom's course a highway! IV You intersect wood, lea, and lawn, With roads for monster waggons, Wherein you speed like lightning drawn By fiery iron dragons. So do. Such work is good, no doubt; But why not seek some nigh way For mind as well? Path also out For Freedom's course a highway. V Yes! up! and let your weapons be Sharp steel and self-reliance! Why waste your burning energy In void and vain defiance, And phrases fierce but fugitive? 'Tis deeds, not words, that I weigh- Your swords and guns alone can give To Freedom's course a highway! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A NEW HYMN by KATHERINE MANSFIELD THE STORM by KATHERINE MANSFIELD NEW-MADE HONOUR (IMITATED FROM MARTIAL) by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM SARRAZINE'S SONG, FR. CHAITIVEL by MARIE DE FRANCE PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 7. AL-MAUMIN by EDWIN ARNOLD |