ON THE DEATH OF TOUSSAINT L'OUVERTURE.

His weary warfare done, his woes forgot,

Freedom! thy son, oppress'd so long, is free:

He seeks the realms where tyranny is not,

And those shall hail him who have died for thee!

Immortal TELL! receive a soul like thine,

Who scorn'd obedience to usurp'd command:

Who rose a giant from a sphere indign,

To tear the rod from proud oppression's hand.

Alas! no victor-wreaths enzon'd his brow,

But freedom long his hapless fate shall mourn;

Her holy tears shall nurse the laurel-bough,

Whose green leaves grace his consecrated urn.

Nursed by these tears, that bough shall rise sublime,

And bloom triumphant 'mid the wrecks of time!

Poems (1828) · 第 78 / 151 题