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To Samuel E. Sewall And Harriet W. Sewall, Of Melrose

By John Greenleaf Whittier

Topics: classic

Olor Iscanus queries: Why should we     Vex at the lands ridiculous miserie?     So on his Usk banks, in the blood-red dawn     Of Englands civil strife, did careless Vaughan     Bemock his times. O friends of many years!     Though faith and trust are stronger than our fears,     And the signs promise peace with liberty,     Not thus we trifle with our countrys tears     And sweat of agony. The futures gain     Is certain as Gods truth; but, meanwhile, pain     Is bitter and tears are salt: our voices take     A sober tone; our very household songs     Are heavy with a nations griefs and wrongs;     And innocent mirth is chastened for the sake     Of the brave hearts that nevermore shall beat,     The eyes that smile no more, the unreturning feet

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"Olor Iscanus queries: Why should we..."

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Author:John Greenleaf Whittier

"Olor Iscanus queries: Why should we..." by John Greenleaf Whittier

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"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

John Greenleaf Whittier

About John Greenleaf Whittier

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892) was an American Quaker poet and abolitionist whose poems—including "Snow-Bound" and "Barbara Frietchie"—celebrate New England life and moral courage. He was one of the Fireside Poets and a leading voice against slavery.

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