Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE GANGES, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On sweeps the mighty river - calmly flowing Last Line: Bear as that bears -- where'er thou goest -- blessing! Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia Subject(s): Ganges River, India | ||||||||
ON sweeps the mighty river -- calmly flowing, Through the eternal flowers, That light the summer hours, Year after year, perpetual in their blowing. Over the myriad plains that current ranges, Itself as clear and bright As in its earliest light, And yet the mirror of perpetual changes. Here must have ceased the echo of those slaughters When stopped the onward jar Of Macedonian war, Whose murmur only reached thy ancient waters. Yet have they reddened with the fierce outpouring Of human blood and life, When over kingly strife The vulture on his fated wing was soaring. How oft its watch, impatient of the morrow, Hath mortal misery kept, Beside thy banks, and wept, Kissing thy quiet night-winds with their sorrow. Yet thou art on thy course majestic keeping, Unruffled by the breath Of man's vain life or death, Calm as the heaven upon thy bosom sleeping. Still dost thou keep thy calm and onward motion, Amid the ancient ranks Of forests on thy banks, Till thou hast gained thy home -- the mighty occan. And thou dost scatter benefits around thee: Thy silver current yields Life to the green rice-fields, That have like an enchanted girdle bound thee. By thee are royal gardens, each possessing A summer in its hues, Which still thy wave renews, Where'er thou flowest dost thou bear a blessing. Such, O my country! should be thy advancing -- A glorious progress, known As is that river's, shown By the glad sunshine on its waters glancing. So should thy moral light be onwards flowing -- So should its course be bound By benefits around, The blessings which itself hath known bestowing. Faith, commerce, knowledge, laws -- these should be springing Where'er thy standard flies Amid the azure skies, Whose highest gifts that red-cross flag is bringing. Already much for man has been effected; The weak and poor man's cause Is strengthened by the laws, The equal right, born with us all, respected. But much awaits, O England! thy redressing; Thou hast no nobler guide Than yon bright river's tide Bear as that bears -- where'er thou goest -- blessing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BAYADERE by FRANCIS SALTUS SALTUS A ROMANCE OF THE GANGES by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING RESTLESS by EDWARD MERRILL ROOT TO A STRAY FOWL by HENRY DAVID THOREAU STANDING NEAR THE GHATS ALONG THE GANGES by WILLIAM KISTLER CALYPSO WATCHING THE OCEAN by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON FELICIA HEMANS by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE CASTLE OF CHILLON by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON THE FACTORY; 'TIS AN ACCURSED THING! by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON |
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