Page:The West Indies, and Other Poems.djvu/151

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139

'Tis Alfred : — In the rolls of Fame,

And on a midnight page, Blazes his broad refulgent name.

The watch-light of his age.

A Danish winter, from the north, Howl'd o'er the British wild.

But Alfred, like the spring, brake fortli, And all the desert smiled.

Back to the deep he roU'd the waves.

By mad invasion hurl'd ; His voice was liberty to slaves.

Defiance to the world.

And still that voice o'er land and sea

Shall Albion's foes appal ; The race of Alfred toill be free ;

Hear it, and tremble, Gaul !

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