Poems of Felicia Hemans in The Literary Souvenir, 1828/Ancient Song of Victory
THE RETURN OF A VICTORIOUS ARMAMENT Painted by William Linton Esq.Engraved by Edward Goodall |
ANCIENT SONG OF VICTORY.
BY MRS. HEMANS.
Fill high the bowl with Samian wine,
Our virgins dance beneath the shade.
Byron.
I.
Io! they come, they come!
Garlands for every shrine!
Strike lyres to greet them home;
Bring roses, pour ye wine!
II.
Swell, swell the Dorian flute
Thro' the blue, triumphal sky!
Let the Cittern's tone salute
The Sons of Victory!
III.
With the offering of bright blood,
They have ransomed hearth and tomb,
Vineyard, and field, and flood;—
Io! they come, they come!
IV.
Sing it where olives wave,
And by the glittering sea,
And o'er each hero's grave,—
Sing, sing, the land is free!
V.
Mark ye the flashing oars,
And the spears that light the deep?
How the festal sunshine pours
Where the lords of battle sweep!
VI.
Each hath brought back his shield;—
Maid, greet thy lover home!
Mother, from that proud field,
Io! thy son is come!
VII.
Who murmured of the dead?
Hush, boding voice! We know
That many a shining head
Lies in its glory low.
VIII.
Breathe not those names to-day!
They shall have their praise ere long,
And a power all hearts to sway,
In ever-burning song.
IX.
But now shed flowers, pour wine,
To hail the conquerors home!
Bring wreaths for every shrine—
Io! they come, they come!