Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CITY HALL PARK, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CITY HALL PARK, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ere cabot's prow was westward turned
Last Line: Unroofed beneath the sky.
Subject(s): Freedom; New York City - Colonial Period; Liberty


Ere Cabot's prow was westward turned,
Before old Hudson came,
Upon this island acre burned
The Red Man's council flame.

Then here the settler's cattle grazed
Along the bowered track;
And here his bell-mouthed musket blazed
And drove the savage back.

But yonder rose the gallows-tree
Where, calm and fearless-eyed,
Our first sad pledge to Liberty,
Great-hearted Leisler died.

And hither flocked from shops and farms,
When Freedom's summons flew,
Those large-boned, sun-browned men-at-arms
That wore the buff and blue.

Oh, build your walls, for build you will,
On earth less dearly known;
Leave this one spot unburdened still
With tyrant steel and stone! --

A scroll whereon brave youth shall trace
Brave deeds of days gone by,
A shrine, a little, hallowed space
Unroofed beneath the sky.





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