Poems (Blagden)/On the italian colours being replaced on the palazzo vecchio

by Isa Blagden

ON THE ITALIAN COLOURS BEING REPLACED ON THE PALAZZO VECCHIO.

I.

O'er the old tower, like bright flame curled,
 Which leapeth sudden to the sky,
Its emblem hues all wide unfurled,
 Upsprings the flag of Italy.

II.

Its emblem hues! the brave blood shed,
 The true life-blood by heroes given,
The green palms of the martyred dead,
 The snowy robes they wear in heaven!

III.

These colours all high hearts must bear;
 They tell of courage, truth, and faith,
The heart to know, to will, to dare,
 The threefold life which o'ercomes death.

IV.

The death which tyrants deemed held fast
 The lands o'er which their armies trod,
Hath no more power; the grave is past.
 A living people bless Thee, God.

v.

Freed from the yoke of alien kings,
 The nations wake to life and breath;
Th' immortal from the mortal springs,
 "Out of the body of that death."

VI.

No sepulchres can freedom hold.
 'Tis life; and life o'er death must rise.
Glad bells ring out in triumph bold;
 Wave, flag of freedom, to the skies!

VII.

My Florence, which so fair doth lie,
 A dream of beauty at my feet,
While smiles above that dappled sky,
 While glows around that ripening wheat.

VIII.

As fair, as shining, and as bright
 Art thou as she we hear came down
From heaven in bridal robes of white,
 Thy New Jerusalem, St John.

IX.

And like hers, too, a promise stands
 In this great victory won by thee,
A hope to all the yearning lands,
 Witness and pledge to Italy.