Poems (Botta)/Ode for the Fourth of July

by Anne Lynch Botta

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ODE

FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY.

 A glorious vision burst  On Europe’s dazzled sight, Upon that day when first  Columbia sprang to light;—When our New World, till then concealed,In virgin beauty stood revealed.

 But more sublime that day  When the young nation rose, And cast her chains away,  And dared her tyrant foes:Thrones quaked, and despots trembled then,For bonds were rent and slayes were men.

 The torch of Liberty,  Relighted on that day, Streamed over land and sea  With brighter, holier ray.Hail to our Country! hail to thee,Auspicious day that saw her free!

 Let the star-spangled flag  Upon the free air float; Let hill, and vale, and crag,  Prolong the cannon’s note:“Live the Republic!” let this beThe watch-word of our liberty.