Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONG FOR THE NEAPOLITANS, by JOHN CHALK CLARIS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONG FOR THE NEAPOLITANS, by                    
First Line: Too long we've borne what freemen ne'er
Last Line: Or die and leave it so!
Alternate Author Name(s): Brooke, Arthur
Subject(s): Freedom; Naples, Italy; Patriotism; War; Liberty


XVI.

TOO long we've borne what freemen ne'er
Can breathe and bear again;
Be men, at length, and bravely dare
To rend the accursed chain!
O'er hills and vales we'll sweep along,
And raise the inspiring cry;
Be this the burden of our song—
This day our tyrants die!

Let despots league their countless slaves,
We mock their vain array,
A single sword that Freedom waves
Shall sweep whole ranks away.
We thirst not for their baser blood—
But now our flag's unfurled,
Let's onward like a fiery flood,
And cleanse the infected world!

Hark, hark, the cannon's murderous roar
Proclaims the fight begun;—
Oh ne'er may freemen hear it more,
When once this fight is done!
But dauntless now our hearts must be,
Our souls in every blow,
We'll live and see our country free,
Or die and leave it so!





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