Part 1 (1/2)
Poems of American Patriotism.
by Brander Matthews (Editor).
PREFATORY NOTE
An attempt has been made in the present collection to gather together the patriotic poems of America, those which depict feelings as well as those which describe actions, since these latter are as indicative of the temper of the time. It is a collection, for the most part, of old favorites, for Americans have been quick to take to heart a stirring telling of a daring and n.o.ble deed; but these may be found to have gained freshness by a grouping in order. The arrangement is chronological so far as it might be, that the history of America as told by her poets should be set forth. Here and there occur breaks in the story, chiefly because there are fit incidents for song which no poet has fitly sung as yet.
The poems have been printed scrupulously from the best accessible text, and they have not been tinkered in any way, though some few have been curtailed slightly for the sake of s.p.a.ce. In a few cases, where the whole poem has not fallen within the scope of this volume, only a fragment is here given. When this has been done, it is pointed out. Brief notes have been prefixed to many of the poems, making plain the occasion of their origin, and removing any chance obscurity of allusion.
NEW YORK, November, 1882.
In the two score years since this collection was prepared many things have happened, and many poets have been in-spired to celebrate men and moods and deeds. It has been found necessary to omit a few of the less important verses in the earlier edition to make room for the most significant of the lyric commemorations of events almost contemporary, and therefore appealing to us more immediately, and perhaps more poignantly.
B. M.
July 4, 1922.
BOSTON
SICUT PATRIBUS, SIT DEUS n.o.bIS RALPH WALDO EMERSON
[sidenote: Dec. 16, 1773]
_This poem was read in Faneuil Hall, on the Centennial Anniversary of the ”Boston Tea-Party,” at which a band of men disguised as Indians had quietly emptied into the sea the taxed tea-chests of three British s.h.i.+ps._
The rocky nook with hill-tops three Looked eastward from the farms, And twice each day the flowing sea Took Boston in its arms; The men of yore were stout and poor, And sailed for bread to every sh.o.r.e.
And where they went on trade intent They did what freemen can, Their dauntless ways did all men praise, The merchant was a man.
The world was made for honest trade,-- To plant and eat be none afraid.
The waves that rocked them on the deep To them their secret told; Said the winds that sung the lads to sleep, ”Like us be free and bold!”
The honest waves refuse to slaves The empire of the ocean caves.
Old Europe groans with palaces, Has lords enough and more;-- We plant and build by foaming seas A city of the poor;-- For day by day could Boston Bay Their honest labor overpay.
We grant no dukedoms to the few, We hold like rights and shall;-- Equal on Sunday in the pew, On Monday in the mall.
For what avail the plough or sail, Or land or life, if freedom fail?
The n.o.ble craftsmen we promote, Disown the knave and fool; Each honest man shall have his vote, Each child shall have his school.
A union then of honest men, Or union nevermore again.
The wild rose and the barberry thorn Hung out their summer pride Where now on heated pavements worn The feet of millions stride.
Fair rose the planted hills behind The good town on the bay, And where the western hills declined The prairie stretched away.
What care though rival cities soar Along the stormy coast: Penn's town, New York, and Baltimore, If Boston knew the most!
They laughed to know the world so wide; The mountains said: ”Good-day!
We greet you well, you Saxon men, Up with your towns and stay!”