Italy and Other Poems By William Sotheby |
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ON HEARING OF THE DEATH
OF
FRANCIS HORNER, ESQ. AT PISA. |
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 | Italy and Other Poems |  |
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ON HEARING OF THE DEATH OF FRANCIS HORNER, ESQ. AT PISA.
Written at Rome, February 17, 1817.
No, not thy friends alone, whose hearts will bleed,
When the slow sail, long look'd for, now on way,
Shall to the realm that waits thy coming, say,
“Thou never shalt return”—so heav'n decreed:—
Nor those whose blessing bad their first-born, “Hail:”
Nor yet the brother, who watch'd o'er thy bed,
And tears in unavailing 'tendance shed:
Not these alone;—'tis Britain I bewail.
Patriot! thy arm was stretch'd her realm to save:
Death rush'd between—his hand that smote thee low,
On Britain's reeling column struck the blow,
And bow'd its shatter'd glory o'er thy grave.
| Italy and Other Poems | |