Page:Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge).djvu/82

 Thou rising Sun! thou blue rejoicing Sky!
 * Yea, every thing that is and will be free!
 * Bear witness for me, wheresoe'r ye be,
 * With what deep worship I have still ador'd
 * The spirit of divinest Liberty.

When France in wrath her giant-limbs upreared,
 * And with that oath, which smote air, earth and sea,
 * Stamp'd her strong foot and said she would be free,

Bear witness for me, how I hop'd and fear'd! With what a joy my lofty gratulation
 * Unaw'd I sang, amid a slavish band:

And when to whelm the disenchanted nation.
 * Like fiends embattled by a wizzard's wand.
 * The Monarchs march'd in evil day.
 * And Britain join'd the dire array;
 * Though dear her shores and circling ocean,

Though many friendships, many youthful loves
 * Had swoln the patriot emotion

And flung a magic light o'er all her hills and groves; Yet still my voice, unalter'd, sang defeat
 * To all that brav'd the tyrant-quelling lance.

And shame too long delay 'd and vain retreat!