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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students

Of Old Sat Freedom

Alfred Lord Tennyson·1809–1891
Lines:24Movement:Victorian
Of old sat Freedom on the heights,The thunders breaking at her feet:Above her shook the starry lights:She heard the torrents meet. There in her place she did rejoice,Self-gather'd in her prophet-mind,But fragments of her mighty voiceCame rolling on the wind. Then stept she down thro' town and fieldTo mingle with the human race,And part by part to men reveal'dThe fullness of her face -- Grave mother of majestic works,From her isle-alter gazing down,Who, God-like, grasps the triple forks,And, King-like, wears the crown: Her open eyes desire the truth.The wisdom of a thousand yearsIs in them. May perpetual youthKeep dry their light from tears; That her fair form may stand and shineMake bright our days and light our dreams,Turning to scorn with lips divineThe falsehood of extremes!