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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONG FOR THE NEAPOLITANS, by JOHN CHALK CLARIS 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! | 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 NIGHT THOUGHT; WRITTEN IN ILLNESS by JOHN CHALK CLARIS AN INVITATION TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF THE POET MOORE by JOHN CHALK CLARIS |
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