I. <br />Brothers! between you and me <br />Whirlwinds sweep and billows roar: <br />Yet in spirit oft I see <br />On thy wild and winding shore <br />Freedom’s bloodless banners wave,-- <br />Feel the pulses of the brave <br />Unextinguished in the grave,-- <br />See them drenched in sacred gore,-- <br />Catch the warrior's gasping breath <br />Murmuring 'Liberty or death!' <br /> <br />II. <br />Shout aloud! Let every slave, <br />Crouching at Corruption's throne, <br />Start into a man, and brave <br />Racks and chains without a groan: <br />And the castle's heartless glow, <br />And the hovel's vice and woe, <br />Fade like gaudy flowers that blow-- <br />Weeds that peep, and then are gone <br />Whilst, from misery's ashes risen, <br />Love shall burst the captive's prison. <br /> <br />III. <br />Cotopaxi! bid the sound <br />Through thy sister mountains ring, <br />Till each valley smile around <br />At the blissful welcoming! <br />And, O thou stern Ocean deep, <br />Thou whose foamy billows sweep <br />Shores where thousands wake to weep <br />Whilst they curse a villain king, <br />On the winds that fan thy breast <br />Bear thou news of Freedom's rest! <br /> <br />IV. <br />Can the daystar dawn of love, <br />Where the flag of war unfurled <br />Floats with crimson stain above <br />The fabric of a ruined world? <br />Never but to vengeance driven <br />When the patriot's spirit shriven <br />Seeks in death its native Heaven! <br />There, to desolation hurled, <br />Widowed love may watch thy bier, <br />Balm thee with its dying tear.<br /><br />Percy Bysshe Shelley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-the-republicans-of-north-america/
