Written in the Beginning of the Year 1746 by William Collins | Poets.org


January 3, 2013 · 9:57 AM

How sleep the brave, who sink to rest

By all their country's wishes blest!

When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,

Returns to deck their hallow'd mold,

She there shall dress a sweeter sod

Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.

 

By fairy hands their knell is rung,

By forms unseen their dirge is sung;

There Honor comes, a pilgrim grey,

To bless the turf that wraps their clay;

And Freedom shall a-while repair,

To dwell a weeping hermit there!

 

Born on December 25, 1721, William Collins was an English poet and author of Odes on Several Descriptive and Allegorical Subjects.

 

 

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