@3Ere Cabot's prow was westward turned, Before old Hudson came, Upon this island acre burned The Red Man's council flame. Then here the settler's cattle grazed Along the bowered track; And here his bell-mouthed musket blazed And drove the savage back. But yonder rose the gallows-tree Where, calm and fearless-eyed, Our first sad pledge to Liberty, Great-hearted Leisler died. And hither flocked from shops and farms, When Freedom's summons flew, Those large-boned, sun-browned men-at-arms That wore the buff and blue. Oh, build your walls, for build you will, On earth less dearly known; Leave this one spot unburdened still With tyrant steel and stone! -- A scroll whereon brave youth shall trace Brave deeds of days gone by, A shrine, a little, hallowed space Unroofed beneath the sky.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONGS FOR TWO SEASONS: 1. AFTER GRAVE ILLNESS by CAROL FROST THE GHOST OF DEACON BROWN by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DISMAL MOMENT PASSING by CLARENCE MAJOR THE PHILOSOPHER by EMILY JANE BRONTE LOST AND FOUND by GEORGE MACDONALD |