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Lyrical Poems

By Francis Turner Palgrave

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258

AN ATHENIAN SONG

IN HONOUR OF HARMODIUS AND ARISTOGEITON

Myrtle-wreathed my sword I wave,
As of yore the brothers brave,
When the tyrant sank, and ye
Gave fair Athens liberty.
Loved Harmodius! art not dead!
To the blessed isles hast sped:
Where Achilles fleet and fair
And the son of Tydeus are.
Myrtle-wreathed my sword I wave,
As of yore the brothers brave

259

'Mid the sacrificial crew
By the shrine Hipparchus slew.
Aye on earth your names will shine,
Brothers brave, beloved, divine;
Since the tyrant sank, and ye
Gave fair Athens liberty.