Dora Sigerson Shorter

“ The earth-bound giant now is free, is free;
⁠The last fight over, and the last moan still;
No tale of snow-clad heights where great dreams be,
⁠His exile heart can thrill.
Ah, how he cried with groaning branch and bough! ”

“ His branches moved—out sung his parting breath.
He leaned to freedom from his prison place,
Whose freedom was but death.
Better so lie, from this dire bondage free,
O! heart, who knew the silence of the snows,
Than stand alone, O solitary tree!
Where English greenwood grows.
Better to die than live in dull disgrace,
O! soul that dreamed the glory of the dream ”