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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SWISS SONG; ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF AN ANCIENT BATTLE, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Look on the white alps round!
Last Line: That chainless hearts might worship god!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Switzerland - Wars
First Line: Look on the white alps round!
Last Line: That chainless hearts might worship god!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Switzerland - Wars
LOOK on the white Alps round!
If yet they gird a land
Where Freedom's voice and step are found,
Forget ye not the band, --
The faithful band, our sires, who fell
Here in the narrow battle-dell!
If yet, the wilds among,
Our silent hearts may burn,
When the deep mountain-horn hath rung,
And home our steps may turn, --
Home! -- home! -- if still that name be dear,
Praise to the men who perished here.
Look on the white Alps round!
Up to their shining snows
That day the stormy rolling sound,
The sound of battle rose!
Their caves prolonged the trumpet's blast,
Their dark pines trembled as it passed!
They saw the princely crest,
They saw the knightly spear,
The banner and the mail-clad breast,
Borne down, and trampled here!
They saw -- and glorying there they stand,
Eternal records to the land!
Praise to the mountain-born,
The brethren of the glen!
By them no steel array was worn,
They stood as peasant-men!
They left the vineyard and the field,
To break an empire's lance and shield!
Look on the white Alps round!
If yet, along their steeps,
Our children's fearless feet may bound,
Free as the chamois leaps:
Teach them in song to bless the band
Amidst whose mossy graves we stand!
If, by the wood-fire's blaze,
When winter stars gleam cold,
The glorious tales of elder days
May proudly yet be told,
Forget not then the shepherd race,
Who made the earth a holy place!
Look on the white Alps round!
If yet the Sabbath-bell
Comes o'er them with a gladdening sound,
Think on the battle-dell!
For blood first bathed its flowery sod,
That chainless hearts might worship God!
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THE BATTLE OF MORGARTEN by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS
THE LEAGUE OF THE ALPS; OR THE MEETING ON THE FIELD OF GRUTLI by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS
BATTLE OF UNTERWALDEN by JAMES MONTGOMERY
THE BATTLE OF SEMPACH by HALB SUTER
THE BATTLE OF SEMPACH by GEORGE WALTER THORNBURY
THE BATTLE OF MURTEN by VEIT WEBER
A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS
ARABELLA STUART by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS
BERNARDO DEL CARPIO by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS