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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE CITY ENCROACHMENTS ON THE RIVER HUDSON, 1800 by PHILIP FRENEAU

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHERE HUDSON, ONCE, IN ALL HIS PRIDE
Last Line: AND TIME RESTORE HIM ALL YOU TAKE.
Subject(s): HUDSON RIVER; NEW YORK CITY; MANHATTAN; NEW YORK, NEW YORK; THE BIG APPLE;
Where Hudson, once, in all his pride
In surges burst upon the shore
They plant amidst his flowing tide
Moles to defy his loudest roar;
And lofty mansions grow where late
Half Europe might discharge her freight.

From northern lakes and wastes of snow
The river takes a distant rise,
Now marches swift, now marches slow,
And now adown some rapid flies
Till join'd the @3Mohawk,@1 in their course
They travel with united force.

But cease, nor with too daring aim
Encroach upon this giant flood;
No rights reserved by nature, claim,
Nor on his ancient bed intrude:—
The river may in rage awake
And time restore him all you take.



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