Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NAPEOLON'S FAREWELL; FROM THE FRENCH, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON


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NAPEOLON'S FAREWELL; FROM THE FRENCH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Farewell to the land where the gloom of my glory
Last Line: Then turn thee and call on the chief of thy choice.
Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron
Subject(s): Napoleon I (1769-1821)


FAREWELL to the Land where the gloom of my Glory
Arose and o'ershadow'd the earth with her name --
She abandons me now -- but the page of her story,
The brightest or blackest, is fill'd with my fame.
I have warr'd with a world which vanquish'd me only
When the meteor of conquest allured mo too far;
I have coped with the nations which dread me thus lonely,
The last single Captive to millions in war.

Farewell to thee, France! when thy diadem crown'd me,
I made thee the gem and the wonder of earth, --
But thy weakness decrees I should leave as I found thee,
Decay'd in thy glory, and sunk in thy worth.
Oh! for the veteran hearts that were wasted
In strife with the storm, when their battles were won --
Then the Eagle, whose gaze in that moment was blasted,
Had still soar'd with eyes fix'd on victory's sun!

Farewell to thee, France! -- but when Liberty rallies
Once more in thy regions, remember me then, --
The violet still grows in the depth of thy valleys;
Though wither'd, thy tear will unfold it again.
Yet, yet, I may baffle the hosts that surround us,
And yet may thy heart leap awake to my voice;
There are links which must break in the chain that has bound us,
Then turn thee and call on the Chief of thy choice.





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