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Felicia Dorothea Hemans - The Bended Bow
Work rating: Low

There was heard the sound of a coming foe,
There was sent through Britain a bended Bow,
And a voice was pour`d on the free winds far,
As the land rose up at the sign of war.

    "Heard ye not the battle-horn?
     —Reaper! leave thy golden corn!
     Leave it for the birds of Heaven,
     Swords must flash, and spears be riven!
     Leave it for the winds to shed—
     Arm! ere Britain`s turf grow red!"

And the reaper arm`d, like a freeman`s son,
And the bended Bow and the voice pass`d on.

    "Hunter! leave the mountain-chase!
     Take the falchion from its place!
     Let the wolf go free to-day,
     Leave him for a nobler prey!
     Let the deer ungall`d sweep by,—
     Arm thee! Britain`s foes are nigh!"

And the hunter arm`d ere the chase was done,
And the bended Bow and the voice pass`d on.

    "Chieftain! quit the joyous feast!
     Stay not till the song hath ceas`d:
     Though the mead be foaming bright,
     Though the fires give ruddy light,
     Leave the hearth and leave the hall—
     Arm thee! Britain`s foes must fall."

And the chieftain arm`d, and the horn was blown,
And the bended Bow and the voice pass`d on.

    "Prince! thy father`s deeds are told,
     In the bower and in the hold!
     Where the goatherd`s lay is sung,
     Where the minstrel`s harp is strung!
     —Foes are on thy native sea—
     Give our bards a tale of thee!"

And the prince came arm`d, like a leader`s son,
And the bended Bow and the voice pass`d on.

    "Mother! stay thou not thy boy!
     He must learn the battle`s joy.
     Sister! bring the sword and spear,
     Give thy brother words of cheer!
     Maiden! bid thy lover part,
     Britain calls the strong in heart!` 

And the bended Bow and the voice pass`d on,
And the bards made song for a battle won.
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