The Power that led his chosen, by pillared cloud No. Freedom has a thousand charms to show, and flame, That slaves, howe'er contented, never know. This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, Or as a moat defensive to a house, Against the envy of less happier lands; SWITZERLAND. Thus every good his native wilds impart, This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this But bind him to his native mountains more. England. This England never did, nor never shall, King John, Act v. Sc. 7. SHAKESPEARE. AMERICA. Hail Columbia ! happy land! Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, Fired at the sound, my genius spreads her Enjoyed the peace your valor won! wing, THE BALLOT-Box. Along the street The shadows meet Of Destiny, whose hands conceal That shape the State, And make or mar the common weal. Sun of the stately Day, Of the Land that waits to behold thee rise : With hope on the lip and pride on the brow, In the clefts of the rocks, in the secret places, On the hills, in the crash of woods that fall, We heard her call; When the lines of battle broke, We saw her face in the fiery smoke; Through toil, and anguish, and desolation, With the grace of a virgin Nation As a sacred zone around her! Who shall rejoice With a righteous voice, Far-heard through the ages, if not she? For the menace is dumb that defied her, The doubt is dead that denied her, Who cometh over the hills, Her garments with morning sweet, Grace at the heart of all grace! And she stands acknowledged, and strong, and Freedom, O, fairest of all free! the National Ode: read at the Celebration in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, July 4, 1870 BAYARD TAYLOR. The daughters of Time and Thought! Ode to Freedom: Centennial Anniversary of the Battle of Concord, |