Poems by William Cullen Bryant
page 131 of 294 (44%)
page 131 of 294 (44%)
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The overflow of gladness, when words are all too weak:
"I lay my good sword at thy feet, for now Peru is free, And I am come to dwell beside the olive-grove with thee." THE AFRICAN CHIEF.° Chained in the market-place he stood, A man of giant frame, Amid the gathering multitude That shrunk to hear his name-- All stern of look and strong of limb, His dark eye on the ground:-- And silently they gazed on him, As on a lion bound. Vainly, but well, that chief had fought, He was a captive now, Yet pride, that fortune humbles not, Was written on his brow. The scars his dark broad bosom wore, Showed warrior true and brave; A prince among his tribe before, He could not be a slave. Then to his conqueror he spake-- "My brother is a king; |
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