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IMPROMPTU LINES ON JULY FOURTH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Behold from the brow of the mountain advancing
Last Line: Here's to the fourth and our country forever.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Fourth Of July; Freedom; Independence; Independence Day; Liberty


BEHOLD from the brow of the mountain advancing,
The Goddess of Freedom appears to our view;
On the breath of the zephyr her tresses are dancing,
And the sunbeams illumine each spangle of dew;
Full gladly she welcomes the morn of her glory,
Serenely she smiles at the land of the free;
With rapture retraces the page of her story,
And laughs with the veterans she nursed on her knee.

O fair is the land that our fathers defended,
And brilliant the era of Liberty's birth;
And blest are the chieftains whose valor is blended
With virtue and wisdom, true honor and worth.
Here plenty and peace bless the toil of the peasant,
The smile of sincerity beams on his cot —
His offspring are healthy, good-natured, and pleasant,
And gratitude's tribute is never forgot!

Then lift the full goblet, and drink to the glory
Of those who are lost in the night of the tomb,
Whose names are enrolled on the record of story,
Whose honor and valor unfadingly bloom.
Lift, lift the full goblet — away with all sorrow —
The circle of friendship what freedom would sever?
To-day is our own, and a fig for to-morrow —
Here's to the Fourth and our country forever.





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