Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GOMEZ TO BLANCO, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GOMEZ TO BLANCO, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Can honor for gold be bartered? Are treason and truth at one?
Last Line: God bless her dauntless heroes! That day we soon shall see.
Alternate Author Name(s): Dean
Subject(s): Cuba - Rebellions Against Spanish Rule; Freedom; South America; Wealth; Liberty; Riches; Fortunes


In answer to Blanco's proposition, January, 1898, that for riches and a
ship to carry him from Cuba, he should abandon the struggle for liberty.

CAN honor for gold be bartered? Are treason and truth at one?
How dare you debase my purpose with a proffer that shames the sun!
God pardon me now for believing a just thought left to Spain,
And help us to grander effort our glorious end to gain!

A ship to bear me from Cuba! Riches for all my life! —
Are you mad? The world would not tempt me to turn from this patriot strife
—
I who, through darkness and anguish, see ever before me shine
Cuba resplendent with Freedom, and count it a vision divine!
Do you think I forget Francisco, my son, the soul of my soul,
Slain by a Spanish assassin, ere yet we were nearing the goal?
Aye, and the host of the valiant, slaughtered, imprisoned, betrayed,
While the peaks and the palms and the winds alone know where their bones are
laid?
But the isle they died to rescue their reverent shrine shall be,
And her circling waves will lull them with a song of victory!

A ship for some far-off haven? 'Tis you who should seek retreat
Where the storms of indignation and scorn less fiercely beat!
You stand in the lonely shadow of the pride and despair of Spain;
Before me hope is glowing; and the best of earth are fain
To hail the bright flag waving above our Cuba free; —
God bless her dauntless heroes! that day we soon shall see.





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