The Complete Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley — Volume 2 by Percy Bysshe Shelley
page 92 of 374 (24%)
page 92 of 374 (24%)
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Will spread his sail and seize his oar
Till he pass the gloomy shore, Lest thy dead should, from their sleep Bursting o'er the starlight deep, Lead a rapid masque of death _140 O'er the waters of his path. Those who alone thy towers behold Quivering through aereal gold, As I now behold them here, Would imagine not they were _145 Sepulchres, where human forms, Like pollution-nourished worms, To the corpse of greatness cling, Murdered, and now mouldering: But if Freedom should awake _150 In her omnipotence, and shake From the Celtic Anarch's hold All the keys of dungeons cold, Where a hundred cities lie Chained like thee, ingloriously, _155 Thou and all thy sister band Might adorn this sunny land, Twining memories of old time With new virtues more sublime; If not, perish thou and they!-- _160 Clouds which stain truth's rising day By her sun consumed away-- Earth can spare ye: while like flowers, In the waste of years and hours, |
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