Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WEEHAWKEN, by ROBERT CHARLES SANDS First Line: Eve o'er our path is stealing fast Last Line: The instant ere the death-shot came. Subject(s): Weehawken, New Jersey | ||||||||
Eve o'er our path is stealing fast; Yon quivering splendors are the last The sun will fling, to tremble o'er The waves that kiss the opposing shore; His latest glories fringe the height Behind us, with their golden light. The mountain's mirrored outline fades Amid the fast-extending shades; Its shaggy bulk, in sterner pride, Towers, as the gloom steals o'er the tide; For the great stream a bulwark meet That laves its rock-encumbered feet. River and mountain! though to song Not yet, perchance, your names belong; Those who have loved your evening hues Will ask not the recording Muse What antique tales she can relate Your banks and steeps to consecrate. Yet, should the stranger ask what lore Of bygone days this winding shore, Yon cliffs and fir-clad steeps, could tell, If vocal made by Fancy's spell -- The varying legend might rehearse Fit themes for high, romantic verse. O'er yon rough heights and moss-clad sod Oft hath the stalwart warrior trod; Or peered, with hunter's gaze, to mark The progress of the glancing bark. Spoils, strangely won on distant waves, Have lurked in yon obstructed caves. When the great strife for Freedom rose, Here scouted oft her friends and foes Alternate, through the changeful war And beacon-fires flashed bright and far; And here, when Freedom's strife was won, Fell, in sad feud, her favored son -- Her son, the second of the band, The Romans of the rescued land. Where round yon capes the banks ascend, Long shall the pilgrim's footsteps bend; There mirthful hearts shall pause to sigh, There tears shall dim the patriot's eye. There last he stood. Before his sight Flowed the fair river, free and bright; The rising mart, and isles, and bay, Before him in their glory lay -- Scenes of his love and of his fame -- The instant ere the death-shot came. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GREEN ISLE OF LOVERS by ROBERT CHARLES SANDS BURY ME IN A FREE LAND by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER IN SCHOOL-DAYS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER TO FURIUS ON POVERTY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS TWO SONGS FROM THE PERSIAN: 1 by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH ENIGMA. TO THE LADIES by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE HOUSE-WARMING; A LEGEND OF BLEEDING-HEART YARD by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM SEA-LOVE (PUGET SOUND INDIAN) by ANNICE CALLAND TWO PICTURES: SEA-GULL by HILDA CONKLING |
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