{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/wikisource_The_Reciter_Ode_to_eloquence/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/wikisource_The_Reciter_Ode_to_eloquence","id":"wikisource_The_Reciter_Ode_to_eloquence","license":"Public Domain / CC-BY-SA (see source)","rights_basis":"wikisource_site_inclusion_policy","source":"wikisource","source_url":"https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Reciter/Ode_to_eloquence","summary":null,"tags":["Chapbooks","Headers_applying_DefaultSort_key","Pages_with_contributor","Scottish_poetry","Subpages","War","Works_using_categories_parameter"],"text":"\u2014\u2014\u2014\n\nODE TO ELOQUENCE\n\nHeard ye those loud contending waves,\n\nThat shook Cecropia's pillar'd state?\n\nSaw ye the mighty from their graves\n\nLook up, and tremble at her fate?\n\nWho shall calm the angry storm?\n\nWho the mighty task perform\n\nAnd bid the raging tumult cease.\n\nSee, the son of Hermes rise,\n\nWith syren tongue, and speaking eyes,\n\nHush the noise, and sooth to peace!\n\nSee the olive branches waving\n\nO'er Illissus winding stream,\n\nTheir lovely limbs the Naiads laving,\n\nThe Muses smiling by, supreme!\n\nSee the nymphs and swains advancing,\n\nTo harmonious measures dancing:\n\nGrateful Io Paens rise\n\nTo thee, O Power! who canst inspire\n\nSoothing words---or words of fire,\n\nAnd shookst thy plumes in Attic skies!\n\nLo! from the regions of the north,\n\nThe reddening storm of battle pours,\n\nRolls along the trembling earth,\n\nFastens on the Olynthian towers.\n\n\"Where rests the sword?---where sleep the brave?\n\nAwake! Cecropia's ally save\n\nFrom the fury of the blast:\n\nBurst the storin on Plocis' walls!\n\nRise! or Greece for ever falls;\n\nUp! or Freedom breathes her last!\"\n\nThe jarring states, obsequious now,\n\nView the Patriot's hand on high;\n\nThunder gathering on his brow,\n\nLightning flashing from his eye!\n\nBorne by the tide of words along,\n\nOne mind, one voice, inspire the throng! ---\n\n\"To arms! to arms! to arms!\" they cry,\n\n\"Grasp the shield, and draw the sword,\n\nLead us to Philippi's lord,\n\nLet us conquer him, or die!\"\n\nAh, eloquence! thou wast undone;\n\nWast from thy native country driven\n\nWhen Tyranny eclipsed the sun,\n\nAnd blotted out the stars of heaven!\n\nWhen liberty from Greece withdrew,\n\nAnd o'er the Adriatic flew\n\nTo where the Tiber pours his urn---\n\nShe struck the rude Tarpeian rock,\n\nSparks were kindled by the stroke---\n\nAgain thy fires began to burn!\n\nNow shining forth, thou mad'st compliant\n\nThe conscript fathers to thy charms,\n\nRoused the world-bestriding giant,\n\nSinking fast in Slavery's arms!\n\nI see thee stand by freedom's fane,\n\nPouring the persuasive strain,\n\nGiving vast conceptions birth:\n\nHark! I hear thy thunders sound,\n\nShake the Forum round and round\n\nShake the pillars of the earth!\n\nFirst-born of Liberty divine!\n\nPut on Religion's bright array:\n\nSpeak! and the starless grave shall shine\n\nThe portal of eternal day!\n\nRise, kindling with the orient beam,\n\nLet Calvary's hill inspire the theme,\n\nUnfold the garments roll'd in blood!\n\nOh, touch the soul---touch all her chords\n\nWith all thy omnipotence of words,\n\nAnd point the way to heaven---to God","title":"The Reciter/Ode to eloquence","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":409}