Songs Before Sunrise by Algernon Charles Swinburne
page 70 of 242 (28%)
page 70 of 242 (28%)
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For what blood can touch these hands with gold unladen,
These feet what chain? By the surf of spears one shieldless bosom breasted And was my shield, Till the plume-plucked Austrian vulture-heads twin-crested Twice drenched the field; By the snows and souls untrampled and untroubled That shine to cheer us, Light of those to these responsive and redoubled; (Cho.) O mother, hear us. GERMANY I am she beside whose forest-hidden fountains Slept freedom armed, By the magic born to music in my mountains Heart-chained and charmed. By those days the very dream whereof delivers My soul from wrong; By the sounds that make of all my ringing rivers None knows what song; By the many tribes and names of my division One from another; By the single eye of sun-compelling vision; (Cho.) Hear us, O mother. ENGLAND I am she that was and was not of thy chosen, Free, and not free; |
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