LXXVI. I recollect it well, and lov'd the time, When we were wont to meet: when last we met, I parted from you for this western clime, With the deep feeling never to forget. In the quick bustle of the busy throng, I feel that I shall miss ye, O! how long! The generous hearts who mann'd my spirit on-- Who sooth'd me when I lost, and cheer'd me if I won.[9]
LXXVII. Away! why should I muse in unsooth'd sadness! While the gay sky is smiling upon earth, Like a young mother, o'er her infant's gladness, Blessing the early promise of its birth. The opening day-dawn breaks along the land, Like glorious FREEDOM, as her hopes expand; While the far mountains tower to meet the glow, The altar fires are lit, burning on all below.
LXXVIII. Oh! light up every land, till, far and free, Their brave hearts come from mountain and from plain, While, with the shout of onward liberty, Old Earth to her foundation shakes again. The night is gone!--thus Tyranny recedes!-- The sky is cloudless!--FREEDOM!--like thy deeds: A gladness beams o'er earth, and main, and Heav'n-- Thus look the nations up, their chains, their chains are riv'n.
LXXIX. Kingdoms are falling! thrones--that have withstood The earthquake and the tempest in their shock, And brav'd the host of battle's fiery flood, Making of human rights the merest mock,[10] Of blood, of agony, of human tears, The daily sacrifice of countless years-- Are falling: may they fall on every shore, As fell the fiend from Heav'n, no more to rise--no more.
LXXX. Greece gathers up again her glorious band! With FREEDOM'S loud hurra the Andes quake! It swells, like ocean's wave, from land to land-- Bless them, our Father! for thy children's sake. They strike the noblest who shall strike the first-- Wailing and prostrate, Tyranny accurst, Convulses earth with his fierce agonies; But, if ye strike like men, the fell dictator dies!
LXXXI. A tear for Poland! many tears for her Who rose so nobly, and so nobly fell! E'en at her broken shrine, a worshipper, In dust and ashes, let me say farewell! Farewell! brave spirits!--Earth! and can it be, Thy sons beheld them struggling to be free-- Unaided, saw them in their blood downtrod-- Nations, ye are accurst! be merciful, Oh God!