Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WALPOLE ODE, by ROYALL TYLER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WALPOLE ODE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Favorite land of freedom, hail!
Last Line: And echoing angels quit the skies.
Alternate Author Name(s): Old Simon; S.
Subject(s): Fourth Of July; Walpole, New Hampshire; Independence Day


I

FAVORITE Land of freedom, hail!
No hostile band shall e'er prevail
To blast the wreath that binds thy brow:
To blast the wreath that binds thy brow:
Till the tir'd Sun his course shall cease,
Columbia's glories shall encrease.
This day, forever, sacred be,
The freeman's jovial jubilee;
Our unborn sons, till time expires,
Shall sing the bravery of their sires.

Chorus

In Freedom's praise commence the song,
Celestial chorusses prolong;
Till the loud strains to Heaven arise,
And echoing angels quit the skies.

II

He comes! he comes! Columbia's pride!
To men a friend, to Gods allied;
In arms array'd the hero comes:
In arms array'd the hero comes:
While faithless France surveys her foe,
She sheathes the sword, suspends the blow;
Yet should her frantic folly pour
Her madden'd millions to our shore,
His name would strike with dread dismay
These heartless insects of a day.

Chorus

In Freedom's praise renew, &c.

III

At helm, in robes of state array'd,
Whose verdant laurels ne'er shall fade,
See ADAMS ride above the storm:
See ADAMS ride above the storm:
Though billows round our barque shall break,
No fear his steady soul can shake.
His proffer'd hand will never cease
T'extend the olive branch of peace;
But should a foe sound War's alarm,
He'd hurl the lightning from his arm.

Chorus

In Freedom's praise renew, &c.

IV

Lo! from the turrets of the skies,
The patriot, with approving eyes,
Beholds th' auspicious, happy morn:
Beholds th' auspicious, happy morn:
And, beckoning from his bright abode,
Allures us up to Glory's road.
Catch, then, the spirit of your sires,
Nor quench the coal that Freedom fires;
Till wak'd to shame, the world shall see
The light that flows from Liberty.

Chorus

In Freedom's praise renew the song,
Celestial chorusses prolong;
Till the loud strains to Heaven arise,
And echoing angels quit the skies.





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