Classic Poem

Oh ! these nights how dark they are!
Without moon and without star, —
Every thing is in the blues! —
Sea and air, they groan together,
Just as if the wind and weather
Gruffly talked about the news!

But hail! my own Italian sky,
Where, twinkling with her diamond eye,
The Star of Eve is seen above! —
Where Heaven laughs down on Earth, and then
The Earth laughs up to Heaven again —
And all things breathe of Love!

But one thing mars the beauteous scene,
The flowery soil, and heaven serene —
Ah! me. Oppression's cruel hand,
My Italy, is on thy plains:
What cares the captive in his chains
For azure sky or verdant land? —

O happy England! potent bride
Of Him who rules the ocean tide —
'Tis true a mist o'erclouds thy sky,
But thou a better light canst give,
For which alone I wish to live —
The glorious light of Liberty!

Beyond the mist my thoughts take flight,
To seek that true and only light,
Which few can find, though all admire.
For this I've wandered far and near,
Until at length, in wandering here,
I find my long desire!

O Liberty! — upon whose breast
Man can alone securely rest,
Amid these mists resplendent shine
The Mind to know — the H EART to feel —
Twin stars that make the wanderer kneel,
And worship at thy shrine: