 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
11
ENCLOSURE OF THE THREE LINDEN, LUCERNE
A PATRIOT'S PROTEST
Imprisoner of the Lindens, you do well
To guard each gable-end with lightning lance,
For if the levin-bolt with withering glance
Fall, men will say not unprovoked it fell;
For here the lover would his story tell,
Here children round the tree in May could dance,
Here hearts aflame for freedom and romance
Felt the Confederates' passion, knew its spell.
To guard each gable-end with lightning lance,
For if the levin-bolt with withering glance
Fall, men will say not unprovoked it fell;
For here the lover would his story tell,
Here children round the tree in May could dance,
Here hearts aflame for freedom and romance
Felt the Confederates' passion, knew its spell.
No more our babes may hear the hum of bees,
Nor old men sit within the fragrant shade,
Or smile to see the coral glumes drop down,—
An iron hand has dispossest a town,
Prates law, and builds unrighteous barricade
Between a nation and their Linden trees.
Nor old men sit within the fragrant shade,
Or smile to see the coral glumes drop down,—
An iron hand has dispossest a town,
Prates law, and builds unrighteous barricade
Between a nation and their Linden trees.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |