The Antiquity Of Freedom Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJKL MNOPQRSTNULVWXBYZA2B 2C2 D2E2F2G2H2I2J2K2L2M2 N2O2P2Q2P2 P2R2P2OS2T2P2P2U2V2P 2HQ2P2P2W2X2Y2Z2P2A3 B3C3

Here are old trees tall oaks and gnarled pinesA
That stream with gray green mosses here the groundB
Was never trenched by spade and flowers spring upC
Unsown and die ungathered It is sweetD
To linger here among the flitting birdsE
And leaping squirrels wandering brooks and windsF
That shake the leaves and scatter as they passG
A fragrance from the cedars thickly setH
With pale blue berries In these peaceful shadesI
Peaceful unpruned immeasurably oldJ
My thoughts go up the long dim path of yearsK
Back to the earliest days of libertyL
-
Oh FREEDOM thou art not as poets dreamM
A fair young girl with light and delicate limbsN
And wavy tresses gushing from the capO
With which the Roman master crowned his slaveP
When he took off the gyves A bearded manQ
Armed to the teeth art thou one mailed handR
Grasps the broad shield and one the sword thy browS
Glorious in beauty though it be is scarredT
With tokens of old wars thy massive limbsN
Are strong with struggling Power at thee has launchedU
His bolts and with his lightnings smitten theeL
They could not quench the life thou hast from heavenV
Merciless power has dug thy dungeon deepW
And his swart armorers by a thousand firesX
Have forged thy chain yet while he deems thee boundB
The links are shivered and the prison wallsY
Fall outward terribly thou springest forthZ
As springs the flame above a burning pileA2
And shoutest to the nations who returnB2
Thy shoutings while the pale oppressor fliesC2
-
Thy birthright was not given by human handsD2
Thou wert twin born with man In pleasant fieldsE2
While yet our race was few thou sat'st with himF2
To tend the quiet flock and watch the starsG2
And teach the reed to utter simple airsH2
Thou by his side amid the tangled woodI2
Didst war upon the panther and the wolfJ2
His only foes and thou with him didst drawK2
The earliest furrows on the mountain sideL2
Soft with the deluge Tyranny himselfM2
Thy enemy although of reverend lookN2
Hoary with many years and far obeyedO2
Is later born than thou and as he meetsP2
The grave defiance of thine elder eyeQ2
The usurper trembles in his fastnessesP2
-
Thou shalt wax stronger with the lapse of yearsP2
But he shall fade into a feebler ageR2
Feebler yet subtler He shall weave his snaresP2
And spring them on thy careless steps and clapO
His withered hands and from their ambush callS2
His hordes to fall upon thee He shall sendT2
Quaint maskers wearing fair and gallant formsP2
To catch thy gaze and uttering graceful wordsP2
To charm thy ear while his sly imps by stealthU2
Twine round thee threads of steel light thread on threadV2
That grow to fetters or bind down thy armsP2
With chains concealed in chaplets Oh not yetH
Mayst thou unbrace thy corslet nor lay byQ2
Thy sword nor yet O Freedom close thy lidsP2
In slumber for thine enemy never sleepsP2
And thou must watch and combat till the dayW2
Of the new earth and heaven But wouldst thou restX2
Awhile from tumult and the frauds of menY2
These old and friendly solitudes inviteZ2
Thy visit They while yet the forest treesP2
Were young upon the unviolated earthA3
And yet the moss stains on the rock were newB3
Beheld thy glorious childhood and rejoicedC3

William Cullen Bryant



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