Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TRUMPET OF LIBERTY, by JOHN TAYLOR (1750-1826)


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TRUMPET OF LIBERTY, by                    
First Line: The trumpet of liberty sounds through the world
Last Line: Fall, tyrants, fall! Etc.
Subject(s): Freedom; Mankind; Trumpets; Tyranny & Tyrants; Liberty; Human Race


THE trumpet of Liberty sounds through the world,
And the universe starts at the sound;
Her standard Philosophy's hand has unfurled,
And the nations are thronging around.
Chorus.—Fall, tyrants, fall! fall! fall!
These are the days of liberty!
Fall, tyrants, fall!

How noble the ardour that seizes the soul!
How it bursts from the yoke and the chain!
What power can the fervour of Freedom control,
Or its terrible vengeance restrain?
Fall tyrants, fall!

Proud castles of despotism, dungeons and cells,
The tempest shall sweep you away;
From the east to the west the dread hurricane swells,
And the tyrants are chilled with dismay.
Fall, tyrants, fall!

The slave on whose neck the proud despot has trod
Now feels that himself is a man,
While the lordly usurper who ruled with a nod
Hides his head 'midst his servile divan.
Fall, tyrants, fall!

Poor vassals who crawl by the Vistula's stream,
Hear! hear the glad call, and obey!
Rise, nations who worship the sun's sacred beam.
And drive your Pizarros away.
Fall, tyrants, fall!

The cruel dominion of priestcraft is o'er,
Its thunders, its faggots and chains!
Mankind will endure the vile bondage no more,
While religion our freedom maintains.
Fall, tyrants, fall!

Shall Britons the chorus of liberty hear
With a cold and insensible mind?
No,—the triumphs of freedom each Briton shall share,
And contend for the rights of mankind.
Fall, tyrants, fall! etc.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net