Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GREEK SONG: 2. THE BOWL OF LIBERTY, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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GREEK SONG: 2. THE BOWL OF LIBERTY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Before the fiery sun
Last Line: -- when shall we crown the bowl of liberty?
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Freedom; Greece; Liberty; Greeks


BEFORE the fiery sun,
The sun that looks on Greece with cloudless eye,
In the free air, and on the war-field won,
Our fathers crowned the Bowl of Liberty.

Amidst the tombs they stood,
The tombs of heroes! with the solemn skies,
And the wide plain around, where patriot blood
Had steeped the soil in hues of sacrifice.

They called the glorious dead,
In the strong faith which brings the viewless nigh,
And poured rich odors o'er their battle-bed,
And bade them to their rite of Liberty.

They called them from the shades,
The golden-fruited shades, where minstrels tell
How softer light the immortal clime pervades,
And music floats o'er meads of Asphodel.

Then fast the bright red wine
Flowed to their names who taught the world to die,
And made the land's green turf a living shrine,
Meet for the wreath and Bowl of Liberty.

So the rejoicing earth
Took from her vines again the blood she gave,
And richer flowers to deck the tomb drew birth
From the free soil thus hallowed to the brave.

We have the battle-fields,
The tombs, the names, the blue majestic sky,
We have the founts the purple vintage yields;
-- When shall we crown the Bowl of Liberty?





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