Garibaldi by John Greenleaf Whittier

Name: Garibaldi
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

The poem tells the story of Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian revolutionary who fought for independence from Austria and later became a key figure in the unification of Italy. The narrative follows his early life, his involvement in the Carbonari movement, and his subsequent exile to South America. It then jumps forward in time to describe his return to Italy and his role in the Risorgimento, a period of significant political upheaval that ultimately led to the formation of a unified Italian state.

By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1847 · Genre: Historical Poetry, Political Poetry, Romanticism · 303 words

First lines

In trance and dream of old, God's prophet saw The casting down of thrones. Thou, watching lone The hot Sardinian coast-line, hazy-hilled, Where, fringing round Caprera's rocky zone With foam, the slow waves gather and withdraw, Behold'st the vision of the seer fulfilled, And hear'st the sea-winds burdened with a sound Of falling chains, as, one by one, unbound, The nations lift their right hands up and swear Their oath of freedom. From the chalk-white wall Of England, from the black Carpathian range, Along the Danube and the Theiss, through all The passes of the Spanish Pyrenees, And from the Seine's thronged banks, a murmur strange And glad floats to thee o'er thy summer seas On the salt wind that stirs thy whitening hair, -- The song of freedom's bloodless victories! Rejoice, O Garibaldi! Though thy sword Failed at Rome's gates, and blood seemed vainly poured Where, in Christ's name, the crowned infidel Of France wrought murder with the arms of hell On that sad mountain slope whose ghostly dead, Unmindful of the gray exorcist's ban, Walk, unappeased, the chambered Vatican, And draw the curtains of Napoleon's bed! God's providence is not blind, but, full of eyes, It searches all the refuges of lies; And in His time and way, the accursed things Before whose evil feet thy battle-gage Has clashed defiance from hot youth to age Shall perish. All men shall be priests and kings, One royal brotherhood, one church made free By love, which is the law of liberty 1869.

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Garibaldi is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1847 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Date: 1847 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Poetry, Political Poetry, Romanticism, Narrative Poetry, Patriotic Literature
Length: 303 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Historical Poetry — The work reflects on historical events and figures, particularly focusing on themes of freedom and revolution.
Political Poetry — It addresses political themes, including the struggle for national independence and the concept of liberty.
Romanticism — The writing style exhibits characteristics of Romanticism, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism.
Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its verses, depicting the journey and struggles of a historical figure.