ONE morn, when orient beams were bright, Just rising on the wakened world, I saw our flag of glorious light Its roll of beauty wave unfurled. High blazed in air the flaming fold And starry azure to the breeze, Triumphant as o'er fields of old And victor on the conquered seas. Refulgent thus in morning's ray, Methought that standard still should sweep. Pour on old lands a new-born day, And freight with freedom all the deep. But soon, descending on the morn, Some lurid cloud embattled flew, Rent the wild skies, by thunders torn, And all its gathered deluge threw; Still, as in battle's fiery front, I saw my country's flag unrolled Meet the dread storm's impetuous brunt, And fling the tempest from its fold. And thus, methought, though factions rage, That glorious standard still shall wave, Hope of the world, through age on age, And only sink in Freedom's grave! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE VIRGINIAN VOYAGE [1611] by MICHAEL DRAYTON IN THE WILDERNESS by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES ODE ON SOLITUDE (FINAL PRINTED VERSION) by ALEXANDER POPE THE FROGS: THE FATAL OIL-FLASK by ARISTOPHANES PSALM 39. DIXI CUSTODIAM by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE WORKING MAN'S SONG by JOHN STUART BLACKIE PARLEYINGS WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE OF IMPORTANCE: APOLLO AND THE FATES by ROBERT BROWNING |