The Reciter/Ode to eloquence
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ODE TO ELOQUENCE
Heard ye those loud contending waves,
That shook Cecropia's pillar'd state?
Saw ye the mighty from their graves
Look up, and tremble at her fate?
Who shall calm the angry storm?
Who the mighty task perform
And bid the raging tumult cease.
See, the son of Hermes rise,
With syren tongue, and speaking eyes,
Hush the noise, and sooth to peace!
See the olive branches waving
O'er Illissus winding stream,
Their lovely limbs the Naiads laving,
The Muses smiling by, supreme!
See the nymphs and swains advancing,
To harmonious measures dancing:
Grateful Io Paens rise
To thee, O Power! who canst inspire
Soothing words---or words of fire,
And shookst thy plumes in Attic skies!
Lo! from the regions of the north,
The reddening storm of battle pours,
Rolls along the trembling earth,
Fastens on the Olynthian towers.
"Where rests the sword?---where sleep the brave?
Awake! Cecropia's ally save
From the fury of the blast:
Burst the storin on Plocis' walls!
Rise! or Greece for ever falls;
Up! or Freedom breathes her last!"
The jarring states, obsequious now,
View the Patriot's hand on high;
Thunder gathering on his brow,
Lightning flashing from his eye!
Borne by the tide of words along,
One mind, one voice, inspire the throng! ---
"To arms! to arms! to arms!" they cry,
"Grasp the shield, and draw the sword,
Lead us to Philippi's lord,
Let us conquer him, or die!"
Ah, eloquence! thou wast undone;
Wast from thy native country driven
When Tyranny eclipsed the sun,
And blotted out the stars of heaven!
When liberty from Greece withdrew,
And o'er the Adriatic flew
To where the Tiber pours his urn---
She struck the rude Tarpeian rock,
Sparks were kindled by the stroke---
Again thy fires began to burn!
Now shining forth, thou mad'st compliant
The conscript fathers to thy charms,
Roused the world-bestriding giant,
Sinking fast in Slavery's arms!
I see thee stand by freedom's fane,
Pouring the persuasive strain,
Giving vast conceptions birth:
Hark! I hear thy thunders sound,
Shake the Forum round and round
Shake the pillars of the earth!
First-born of Liberty divine!
Put on Religion's bright array:
Speak! and the starless grave shall shine
The portal of eternal day!
Rise, kindling with the orient beam,
Let Calvary's hill inspire the theme,
Unfold the garments roll'd in blood!
Oh, touch the soul---touch all her chords
With all thy omnipotence of words,
And point the way to heaven---to God