Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CHARLESTON AT THE CLOSE OF 1863, by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What! Still does the mother of treason uprear Last Line: Where her dead martyrs rest! Subject(s): American Civil War; Charleston, South Carolina; United States - History | ||||||||
WHAT! still does the mother of treason uprear Her crest 'gainst the furies that darken her sea, Unquelled by mistrust, and unblanched by a fear, Unbowed her proud head, and unbending her knee, Calm, steadfast and free! Ay! launch your red lightnings! blaspheme in your wrath! Shock earth, wave, and heaven with the blasts of your ire; But she seizes your death-bolts yet hot from their path, And hurls back your lightnings and mocks at the fire Of your fruitless desire! Ringed round by her brave, a fierce circlet of flame Flashes up from the sword-points that cover her breast; She is guarded by love, and enhaloed by fame, And never, we swear, shall your footsteps be pressed, Where her dead heroes rest. Her voice shook the tyrant, sublime from her tongue Fell the accents of warning! a prophetess grand -- On her soil the first life notes of liberty rung, And the first stalwart blow of her gauntleted hand Broke the sleep of her land. What more? she hath grasped in her iron-bound will The fate that would trample her honors to earth; The light in those deep eyes is luminous still With the warmth of her valor, the glow of her worth, Which illumine the earth. And beside her a knight the great Bayard had loved, "Without fear or reproach," lifts her banner on high; He stands in the vanguard majestic, unmoved, And a thousand firm souls when that chieftain is nigh, Vow "'tis easy to die!" Their words have gone forth on the fetterless air, The world's breath is hushed at the conflict! Before Gleams the bright form of Freedom, with wreaths in her hair -- And what though the chaplet be crimsoned with gore -- We shall prize her the more! And while Freedom lures on with her passionate eyes To the height of her promise, the voices of yore From the storied profound of past ages arise, And the pomps of their magical music outpour O'er the war-beaten shore! Then gird your brave empress, O heroes! with flame Flashed up from the sword-points that cover her breast! She is guarded by Love and enhaloed by Fame, And never, stern foe! shall your footsteps be pressed Where her dead martyrs rest! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A VISIT TO GETTYSBURG by LUCILLE CLIFTON AFTER SPOTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE by DAVID FERRY ACROSS THE LONG DARK BORDER by EDWARD HIRSCH WALT WHITMAN IN THE CIVIL WAR HOSPITALS by DAVID IGNATOW THE DAY OF THE DEAD SOLDIERS; MARY 30, 1869 by EMMA LAZARUS MANHATTAN, 1609 by EDWIN MARKHAM THE DECISION (APRIL 14, 1861) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE SPARROW HARK IN THE RAIN (ALEXANDER STEPHENS HEARS NEWS) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS A STORM IN THE DISTANCE (AMONG THE GEORGIAN HILLS) by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE |
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