Classic Poem

Sweet Liberty! to thee belong
The patriot's fire, the poet's song;
O ever on thy suppliant's head,
Thy sacred influence, Goddess, shed!
'Tis thou canst bid the barren isle
With charms denied by nature smile;
To him, who drags the galling chain,
The face of nature smiles in vain.
'Tis thou alone that canst impart
The manly motion to the heart,
Inform it of its native worth,
And call the gen'rous feeling forth.
Whatever be my fate decreed,
Whether to suffer, or succeed,
On me its sweets may Freedom pour,
And freedom crown my latest hour.