Liberty

John Boyle O'Reilly 1844 (Dowth) – 1890 (Boston)



I am Liberty-God's daughter!
      My symbols-a law and a torch;
    Not a sword to threaten slaughter,
    Nor a flame to dazzle or scorch;
    But a light that the world may see,
    And a truth that shall make men free.

    I am the sister of Duty,
      And I am the sister of Faith;
    To-day adored for my beauty,
      To-morrow led forth for death.
    I am she whom ages prayed for;
    Heroes suffered undismayed for;
    Whom the martyrs were betrayed for.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

24 sec read
337

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCC CXCXDDD
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 464
Words 81
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 6, 7

John Boyle O'Reilly

John Boyle O'Reilly was an Irish-born poet, journalist and fiction writer. more…

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    "Liberty" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/22015/liberty>.

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