Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, INSCRIPTION FOR A MONUMENT AT TORDESILLAS, by ROBERT SOUTHEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

INSCRIPTION FOR A MONUMENT AT TORDESILLAS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Spaniard! If thou art one who bows the knee
Last Line: Thoughts valueless and cold compared with these.
Subject(s): Martyrs; Spain; Spain - History


SPANIARD! if thou art one who bows the knee
Before a despot's footstool, hie thee hence!
This ground is holy: here Padilla died,
Martyr of freedom. But if thou dost love
Her cause, stand then as at an altar here,
And thank the Almighty that thine honest heart,
Full of a brother's feelings for mankind,
Rebels against oppression. Not unheard
Nor unavailing shall the grateful prayer
Ascend; for loftiest impulses will rise
To elevate and strengthen thee, and prompt
To virtuous action. Relics silver-shrined,
And chanted mass, would wake within the soul
Thoughts valueless and cold compared with these.





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