Classic Poem

Old brass! Why, it burns with a glory
Of carbuncles, diamonds, pearls;
With the very crown jewels of story
Enwreathed with the tresses of girls!
The mail of the maiden Joanna;
Cornelia's pure fireside fame;
Lucrece with her white soul of honor,
La Motte with her arrows of flame.

Old brass! it is bright with the splendor
Of its manhood's loftiest day,
With the proud eye of Judith; the slender
Swift fingers of Charlotte Corday;
With the flash of the far-away cymbals
When Miriam sang by the sea!
Old brass! Why, it twinkles and trembles
With the swords and the songs of the free.