Poems in Two Volumes, Volume 1: XII - Thought of a Briton on the Subjugation of Switzerland

XII - Thought of a Briton on the Subjugation of Switzerland

  Two Voices are there; one is of the Sea,
  One of the Mountains; each a mighty Voice:
  In both from age to age Thou didst rejoice,
  They were thy chosen Music, Liberty!
  There came a Tyrant, and with holy glee
  Thou fought'st against Him; but hast vainly striven;
  Thou from thy Alpine Holds at length art driven,
  Where not a torrent murmurs heard by thee.
  Of one deep bliss thine ear hath been bereft:
  Then cleave, O cleave to that which still is left!
  For, high-soul'd Maid, what sorrow would it be
  That mountain Floods should thunder as before,
  And Ocean bellow from his rocky shore,
  And neither awful Voice be heard by thee!

Back to chapter list of: Poems in Two Volumes, Volume 1