ON sweeps the mighty river -- calmly flowing, Through the eternal flowers, That light the summer hours, Year after year, perpetual in their blowing. Over the myriad plains that current ranges, Itself as clear and bright As in its earliest light, And yet the mirror of perpetual changes. Here must have ceased the echo of those slaughters When stopped the onward jar Of Macedonian war, Whose murmur only reached thy ancient waters. Yet have they reddened with the fierce outpouring Of human blood and life, When over kingly strife The vulture on his fated wing was soaring. How oft its watch, impatient of the morrow, Hath mortal misery kept, Beside thy banks, and wept, Kissing thy quiet night-winds with their sorrow. Yet thou art on thy course majestic keeping, Unruffled by the breath Of man's vain life or death, Calm as the heaven upon thy bosom sleeping. Still dost thou keep thy calm and onward motion, Amid the ancient ranks Of forests on thy banks, Till thou hast gained thy home -- the mighty occan. And thou dost scatter benefits around thee: Thy silver current yields Life to the green rice-fields, That have like an enchanted girdle bound thee. By thee are royal gardens, each possessing A summer in its hues, Which still thy wave renews, Where'er thou flowest dost thou bear a blessing. Such, O my country! should be thy advancing -- A glorious progress, known As is that river's, shown By the glad sunshine on its waters glancing. So should thy moral light be onwards flowing -- So should its course be bound By benefits around, The blessings which itself hath known bestowing. Faith, commerce, knowledge, laws -- these should be springing Where'er thy standard flies Amid the azure skies, Whose highest gifts that red-cross flag is bringing. Already much for man has been effected; The weak and poor man's cause Is strengthened by the laws, The equal right, born with us all, respected. But much awaits, O England! thy redressing; Thou hast no nobler guide Than yon bright river's tide Bear as that bears -- where'er thou goest -- blessing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PASSIONS: AN ODE FOR MUSIC by WILLIAM COLLINS (1721-1759) A LITTLE CHRISTMAS BASKET by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR BY CANDLELIGHT by MARION BRINSON WRITTEN ON RETURNING TO THE P. OF I. ON 10 JANUARY 1827 by EMILY JANE BRONTE THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: THE LAST REMONSTRANCE by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON HIDE AND GO SEEK by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER SENEX'S SOLILOQUY ON HIS YOUTHFUL IDOL by THOMAS CAMPBELL MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE EARL OF SOMERSET: CHORUS (2) by THOMAS CAMPION |