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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNETS: 4. VICTOR HUGO by NEWMAN HOWARD

First Line: THAT HOUR THE TITAN CORSICAN FIRST DARED
Last Line: HOPE FIRED ALL PLAINS AND PINNACLES OF TIME.
Subject(s): FATE; HOPE; HUGO, VICTOR (1802-1885); TIME; DESTINY; OPTIMISM;

THAT hour the Titan Corsican first dared
To knot, ignite, and wield, as scourge and brand,
The lacerate life of Freedom's Motherland, --
That hour the herded nations, maimed and scared,
Fawned at the Titan's feet, though late prepared
To take the freedom from Her bleeding hand, --
That hour Fate timed with black volcanic sand,
But Love mixed gold therewith lest men despaired.

Napoleon thundered, Hugo lisped; but Hope
Hid with the babe; and when the thunder sank,
And all the tyrant's legions, rank on rank,
Melted like mist, athwart a bright'ning slope,
Robed in a golden shower of song sublime,
Hope fired all plains and pinnacles of Time.



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