WAKE a deed of other days; Swell the song of lofty praise; Gratitude's bright goblet raise, — Pledge to LAFAYETTE! — Him, who left his own fair land, By your fathers' sides to stand, When Oppression's guilty brand In their blood was wet: — Him, who shared their hour of woe; Him, who dealt with them each blow, Till young Freedom's beaten foe Turned his back and fled. Lo! again behold him here! He, who came the sires to cheer, Joins their sons the pile to rear O'er the mighty dead. That gray pile shall melt away, Tomb and tablet shall decay, Yet shall glory's deed and day Never set in night. Where your martyred heroes sleep, Children's children long shall weep; There shall pilgrim warriors keep Vigils, ever bright. Sons of Art! the table throng; — Swell your glad and grateful song; Let its echoes, loud and long, Up to Heaven ascend! Never may your hearts forget Freeman's duty — freeman's debt: Fill the cup to LAFAYETTE; — Pledge your fathers' friend! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PATROLING BARNEGAT by WALT WHITMAN COTTON MILL FUNERAL by STEWART ATKINS THE LAST MAN; A LAKE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES LOOKING DOWNWARDS by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON THE TABLE D'HOTE by JOHN PAUL BOCOCK |