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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A SON OF WALES by WILLIAM WATSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: SINCE FIRST I SAW YOUR MOUNTAINS LONG AGO
Last Line: LEST FREEDOM'S SELF REEL TO A BLOOD-RED GRAVE.
Subject(s): WALES; WAR; WELSHMEN; WELSHWOMEN;

SINCE first I saw your mountains long ago,
Dark behind Conway's or Carnarvon's hold,
I have watched the Alps put on their evening gold,
And morning kindle peaks of Afric snow;
I have crossed Niagara's flood and Delaware's flow,
And loitered 'midst Italian vinelands old,
And visited isles which the far deeps enfold,
Where Spain is ashes and a sunset-glow.
But lovely as in youth are yet to me
Mona's bleak fields and Glaslyn's torrent wave;
And dearer now than ever their wild charm,
When hardy Wales pours forth her children free,
Hungering to aid her ancient Conqueror's arm
Lest Freedom's self reel to a blood-red grave.



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