Fitz-Greene Halleck Quotes
d. 1867 United States
Fitz-Greene Halleck (July 8,1790 – November 19, 1867) was an American poet.
- United States
- 19th-century poets
- Poets
Also known as: Halleck, Fitz-Greene
Random Fitz-Greene Halleck quote
10 quotes
There is an evening twilight of the heart,
When its wild passion-waves are lulled to rest.
Strike—for your altars and your fires!
Strike—for the green graves of your sires!
God, and your native land!
Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days!
None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise.
Come when the heart beats high and warm,
With banquet song, and dance, and wine!
One of the few, the immortal names,
That were not born to die.
Ere the dolphin dies
Its hues are brightest. Like an infant's breath
Are tropic winds before the voice of death.
Such graves as his are pilgrim shrines,
Shrines to no code or creed confined,—
The Delphian vales, the Palestines,
The Meccas of the mind.
They love their land because it is their own,
And scorn to give aught other reason why;
Would shake hands with a king upon his throne,
And think it kindness to his Majesty.
Lord Stafford mines for coal and salt,
The Duke of Norfolk deals in malt,
The Douglas in red herrings.
But to the hero, when his sword
Has won the battle for the free,
Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word,
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be.