Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WELCOME TO THE NATIONS, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WELCOME TO THE NATIONS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Bright on the banners of lily and rose
Last Line: Thrones of the continents! Isles of the sea!
Subject(s): Fourth Of July; United States - Centennial Celebrations; Independence Day


PHILADELPHIA, JULY 4, 1'76

BRIGHT on the banners of lily and rose
Lo! the last sun of our century sets!
Wreathe the black cannon that scowled on our foes,
All but her friendships the nation forgets!
All but her friends and their welcome forgets!
These are around her; but where are her foes?
Lo, while the sun of her century sets,
peace with her garlands of lily and rose!

Welcome! a shout like the war trumpet's swell
Wakes the wild echoes that slumber around!
Welcome! it quivers from Liberty's bell;
Welcome! the walls of her temple resound!
Hark! the gray walls of her temple resound!
Fade the far voices o'er hillside and dell;
Welcome! still whisper the echoes around;
Welcome! still trembles on Liberty's bell!

Thrones of the continent! isles of the sea!
Yours are the garlands of peace we entwine;
Welcome, once more, to the land of the free,
Shadowed alike by the palm and the pine;
Softly they murmur, the palm and the pine,
"Hushed is our strife, in the land of the free;"
Over your children their branches entwine
Thrones of the continents! isles of the sea!





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