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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EMANCIPATION FROM BRITISH DEPENDENCE, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Deliver us, o lord / not only from british dependence, but also Last Line: And britain go on -- to be damn'd if she will. Variant Title(s): Libera Nos, Domine Subject(s): Fourth Of July; United States - Declaration Of Independence; Independence Day | |||
Libera nos, Domine -- Deliver us, O Lord, Not only from British dependence, but also, From a junto that labor for absolute power, Whose schemes disappointed have made them look sour; From the lords of the council, who fight against freedom Who still follow on where delusion shall lead 'em. From groups at St. James's who slight our Petitions, And fools that are waiting for further submissions; From a nation whose manners are rough and abrupt, From scoundrels and rascals whom gold can corrupt. From pirates sent out by command of the king To murder and plunder, but never to swing; From Wallace, and Graves, and Vipers, and Roses, Whom, if Heaven pleases, we'll give bloody noses. From the valiant Dunmore, with his crew of banditti Who plunder Virginians at Williamsburg city, From hot-headed Montague, mighty to swear, The little fat man with his pretty white hair. From bishops in Britain, who butchers are grown, From slaves that would die for a smile from the throne, From assemblies that vote against Congress' proceedings (Who now see the fruit of their stupid misleadings). From Tryon, the mighty, who flies from our city, And swelled with importance, disdains the committee (But since he is pleased to proclaim us his foes, What the devil care we where the devil he goes). From the caitiff, Lord North, who would bind us in chains, From our noble King Log, with his toothful of brains, Who dreams, and is certain (when taking a nap), He has conquered our lands as they lay on his map. From a kingdom that bullies, and hectors, and swears, I send up to Heaven my wishes and prayers That we, disunited, may freemen be still, And Britain go on -- to be damn'd if she will. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONSECRATED GROUND; READ AT THE NEW YORK CITY HALL by EDWIN MARKHAM FOURTH OF JULY NIGHT by CARL SANDBURG AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by KATHARINE LEE BATES AMERICA (1) by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT ANTIQUITY OF FREEDOM by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT CONCORD HYMN; SUNG AT COMPLETION OF CONCORD MONUMENT, 1836 by RALPH WALDO EMERSON ODE SUNG IN THE TOWN HALL, CONCORD, JULY 4, 1857 by RALPH WALDO EMERSON LIBERTY FOR ALL by WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU |
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