Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PATRIOTISM AND FREEDOM, by JOANNA BAILLIE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Insensible to high heroic deeds Last Line: Can bear the humbling thought -- the quickening, maddening smart? Variant Title(s): William Wallace Subject(s): Freedom; Patriotism; Liberty | ||||||||
INSENSIBLE to high heroic deeds, Is there a spirit cloth'd in mortal weeds, Who at the patriot's moving story, Devoted to his country's good, Devoted to his country's glory, Shedding for freemen's rights his generous blood, -- Listeneth not with deep heaved sigh, Quivering nerve, and glistening eye, Feeling within a spark of heavenly flame, That with the hero's worth may humble kindred claim? If such there be, still let him plod On the dull foggy paths of care, Nor raise his eyes from the dank sod To view creation fair: What boots to him the wondrous works of God? His soul with brutal things hath ta'en its earthly lair. Oh! who so base as not to feel The pride of freedom once enjoy'd, Though hostile gold or hostile steel Have long that bliss destroy'd? The meanest drudge will sometimes vaunt Of independent sires, who bore Names known to fame in days of yore, Spite of the smiling stranger's taunt; But recent freedom lost -- what heart Can bear the humbling thought -- the quickening, maddening smart? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS AFTER TENNYSON by AMBROSE BIERCE QUARTET IN F MAJOR by WILLIAM MEREDITH CROSS THAT LINE by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE EMANCIPATION by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER A MOTHER TO HER WAKING INFANT by JOANNA BAILLIE |
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