Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN MEMORY OF JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY, by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sleep, motley, with the great of ancient days Last Line: Thy memory shall perish only then. Subject(s): Motley, John Lothrop (1814-1877) | ||||||||
SLEEP, Motley, with the great of ancient days, Who wrote for all the years that yet shall be! Sleep with Herodotus, whose name and praise Have reached the isles of earth's remotest sea; Sleep, while, defiant of the slow decays Of time, thy glorious writings speak for thee, And in the answering heart of millions raise The generous zeal for Right and Liberty. And should the day o'ertake us when, at last, The silence -- that, ere yet a human pen Had traced the slenderest record of the past, Hushed the primeval languages of men -- Upon our English tongue its spell shall cast, Thy memory shall perish only then. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FOREST HYMN by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT A MEDITATION ON RHODE ISLAND COAL by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT A WINTER PIECE by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT AMERICA (1) by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT ANTIQUITY OF FREEDOM by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT AUTUMN WOODS by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT DANTE by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT GREEN RIVER by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT HYMN OF THE CITY by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT INSCRIPTION FOR THE ENTRANCE TO A WOOD by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT |
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