Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SHALL WE BIND THE CHAIN, by LAURANCE J. NICOLSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SHALL WE BIND THE CHAIN, by                    
First Line: Help! Oh help! Shall freedom die?'
Last Line: Never! Never! Never!
Alternate Author Name(s): Bard Of Thule
Subject(s): Freedom; War; Liberty


"Help! oh help! shall Freedom die?"
"No!" the Cossack makes reply.
"What though all men else be dumb,
"Brother, ho! we come! we come!"

Over mountain, ice, and snow,
Deeply sworn to strike the blow;
Death! or Freedom! on they go,

On, resistless as thy tide,
Mighty Danube; far and wide,
Sweep they down the Tyrant's pride.

Shall we stem that tide,
Freedom's rushing river?
Wake again the strife?
Give oppression life?
Never! never! never!

Battle-drum is heard no more,
Clash of swords, nor cannon's roar;
But the wail above the dead
Pierces through the gloom o'erhead.

"Has the storm and darkness gone?
When -- oh when, will break the dawn?"
Cry they, still with tearful moan.

Hearing that beseeching cry,
Shall the hope within them die?
Brothers -- what shall we reply!

Shall we bind the chain
Blood and tears now sever?
Wake again the strife!
Give oppression life?
Never! never! never!





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