To the Republicans of North America
Brothers! between you and meWhirlwinds sweep and billows roar:Yet in spirit oft I seeOn thy wild and winding shoreFreedom's bloodless banners wave,--Feel the pulses of the braveUnextinguished in the grave,--See them drenched in sacred gore,--Catch the warrior's gasping breathMurmuring 'Liberty or death!'
Shout aloud! Let every slave,Crouching at Corruption's throne,Start into a man, and braveRacks and chains without a groan:And the castle's heartless glow,And the hovel's vice and woe,Fade like gaudy flowers that blow--Weeds that peep, and then are goneWhilst, from misery's ashes risen,Love shall burst the captive's prison.
Cotopaxi! bid the soundThrough thy sister mountains ring,Till each valley smile aroundAt the blissful welcoming!And, O thou stern Ocean deep,Thou whose foamy billows sweepShores where thousands wake to weepWhilst they curse a villain king,On the winds that fan thy breastBear thou news of Freedom's rest!
Can the daystar dawn of love,Where the flag of war unfurledFloats with crimson stain aboveThe fabric of a ruined world?Never but to vengeance drivenWhen the patriot's spirit shrivenSeeks in death its native Heaven!There, to desolation hurled,Widowed love may watch thy bier,Balm thee with its dying tear.
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