...

NOTES:  28 grieve Esdaile manuscript; feel, 1870. 37 to those on earth that live Esdaile manuscripts; omitted, 1870.

***

TO THE REPUBLICANS OF NORTH AMERICA.

[Published (from the Esdaile manuscript with title as above) by Rossetti, “Complete Poetical Works of P. B. S.”, 1870; dated 1812.  Rossetti’s title is “The Mexican Revolution".]

1. 
Brothers! between you and me
Whirlwinds sweep and billows roar: 
Yet in spirit oft I see
On thy wild and winding shore
Freedom’s bloodless banners wave,—­ 5
Feel the pulses of the brave
Unextinguished in the grave,—­
See them drenched in sacred gore,—­
Catch the warrior’s gasping breath
Murmuring ‘Liberty or death!’ 10

2. 
Shout aloud!  Let every slave,
Crouching at Corruption’s throne,
Start into a man, and brave
Racks and chains without a groan: 
And the castle’s heartless glow, 15
And the hovel’s vice and woe,
Fade like gaudy flowers that blow—­
Weeds that peep, and then are gone
Whilst, from misery’s ashes risen,
Love shall burst the captive’s prison. 20

3. 
Cotopaxi! bid the sound
Through thy sister mountains ring,
Till each valley smile around
At the blissful welcoming! 
And, O thou stern Ocean deep, 25
Thou whose foamy billows sweep
Shores where thousands wake to weep
Whilst they curse a villain king,
On the winds that fan thy breast
Bear thou news of Freedom’s rest! 30

4. 
Can the daystar dawn of love,
Where the flag of war unfurled
Floats with crimson stain above
The fabric of a ruined world? 
Never but to vengeance driven 35
When the patriot’s spirit shriven
Seeks in death its native Heaven! 
There, to desolation hurled,
Widowed love may watch thy bier,
Balm thee with its dying tear. 40

***

TO IRELAND.

[Published, 1-10, by Rossetti, “Complete Poetical Works of P. B. S.”, 1870; 11-17, 25-28, by Dowden, “Life of Shelley”, 1887; 18-24 by Kingsland, “Poet-Lore”, July, 1892.  Dated 1812.]

1. 
Bear witness, Erin! when thine injured isle
Sees summer on its verdant pastures smile,
Its cornfields waving in the winds that sweep
The billowy surface of thy circling deep! 
Thou tree whose shadow o’er the Atlantic gave 5
Peace, wealth and beauty, to its friendly wave, its blossoms fade,
And blighted are the leaves that cast its shade;
Whilst the cold hand gathers its scanty fruit,
Whose chillness struck a canker to its root. 10