MARK this holy chapel well! The birthplace, this, of William Tell. Here, where stands God's altar dread, Stood his parents' marriage-bed. Here first, an infant to her breast, Him his loving mother prest; And kissed the babe, and blessed the day, And prayed as mothers use to pray: "Vouchsafe him health, O God, and give The child thy servant still to live!" But God has destined to do more Through him than through an armed power. God gave him reverence of laws, Yet stirring blood in Freedom's cause, -- A spirit to his rocks akin, The eye of the hawk, and the fire therein! To Nature and to Holy Writ Alone did God the boy commit: Where flashed and roared the torrent, oft His soul found wings, and soared aloft! The straining oar and chamois chase Had formed his limbs to strength and grace: On wave and wind the boy would toss, Was great, nor knew how great he was! He knew not that his chosen hand, Made strong by God, his native land Would rescue from the shameful yoke Of Slavery, -- the which he broke! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLY, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE TO MY DEAR AND LOVING HUSBAND by ANNE BRADSTREET CORN-LAW HYMN by EBENEZER ELLIOTT THE SLAVE SINGING AT MIDNIGHT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE RIVER STOUR by WILLIAM BARNES |