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| MARK this holy chapel well! | |
| The birthplace, this, of William Tell. | |
| Here, where stands God’s altar dread, | |
| Stood his parents’ marriage-bed. | |
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| Here first, an infant to her breast, | 5 |
| Him his loving mother prest; | |
| And kissed the babe, and blessed the day, | |
| And prayed as mothers use to pray: | |
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| “Vouchsafe him health, O God, and give | |
| The child thy servant still to live!” | 10 |
| But God has destined to do more | |
| Through him than through an armed power. | |
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| God gave him reverence of laws, | |
| Yet stirring blood in Freedom’s cause,— | |
| A spirit to his rocks akin, | 15 |
| The eye of the hawk, and the fire therein! | |
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| To Nature and to Holy Writ | |
| Alone did God the boy commit: | |
| Where flashed and roared the torrent, oft | |
| His soul found wings, and soared aloft! | 20 |
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| The straining oar and chamois chase | |
| Had formed his limbs to strength and grace: | |
| On wave and wind the boy would toss, | |
| Was great, nor knew how great he was! | |
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| He knew not that his chosen hand, | 25 |
| Made strong by God, his native land | |
| Would rescue from the shameful yoke | |
| Of Slavery,—the which he broke! | |
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