1825

THE GREEK PARTISAN

by William Cullen Bryant

THE GREEK PARTISAN -

Our free flag is dancing

In the free mountain air,

And burnished arms are glancing,

And warriors gathering there;

And fearless is the little train

Whose gallant bosoms shield it;

The blood that warms their hearts shall stain

That banner, ere they yield it.

-Each dark eye is fixed on earth,

And brief each solemn greeting;

There is no look nor sound of mirth,

Where those stern men are meeting. -

They go to the slaughter

To strike the sudden blow,

And pour on earth, like water,

The best blood of the foe;

To rush on them from rock and height,

And clear the narrow valley,

Or fire their camp at dead of night,

And fly before they rally.

-Chains are round our country pressed,

And cowards have betrayed her,

And we must make her bleeding breast

The grave of the invader. -

Not till from her fetters

We raise up Greece again,

And write, in bloody letters,

That tyranny is slain,-

Oh, not till then the smile shall steal

Across those darkened faces,

Nor one of all those warriors feel

His children's dear embraces.

-Reap we not the ripened wheat,

Till yonder hosts are flying,

And all their bravest, at our feet,

Like autumn sheaves are lying. - -