Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HYMN FOR THE INAUGURATION OF THE STATUE OF .. ANDREW HINGHAM, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Behold the shape our eyes have known! Last Line: A nation claims him as her own! Subject(s): Statues | ||||||||
BEHOLD the shape our eyes have known! It lives once more in changeless stone; So looked in mortal face and form Our guide through peril's deadly storm. But hushed the beating heart we knew, That heart so tender, brave, and true, Firm as the rooted mountain rock, Pure as the quarry's whitest block! Not his beneath the blood-red star To win the soldier's envied scar; Unarmed he battled for the right, In Duty's never-ending fight. Unconquered will, unslumbering eye, Faith such as bids the martyr die, The prophet's glance, the master's hand To mould the work his foresight planned, These were his gifts; what Heaven had lent For justice, mercy, truth, he spent, First to avenge the traitorous blow, And first to lift the vanquished foe. Lo, thus he stood; in danger's strait The pilot of the Pilgrim State! Too large his fame for her alone, -- A nation claims him as her own! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BAMBERGER REITER by MARY KINZIE FRAGMENT OF THE HEAD OF A QUEEN by CATE MARVIN STATUE AND BIRDS by LOUISE BOGAN STATUES IN THE PARK by BILLY COLLINS STATUETTE: LATE MINOAN by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE STATUE OF A LIBERTINE by RON PADGETT A BALLAD OF THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY [DECEMBER 16, 1773] by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES |
|