Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Switzerland and Austria: Vol. XVI. 1876–79.

Switzerland: Stanz

Lines Suggested by the Statue of Arnold Von Winkelried, Stanz-Underwalden

By Thomas Campbell (1777–1844)

INSPIRING and romantic Switzers’ land,

Though marked with majesty by Nature’s hand,

What charm ennobles most thy landscape’s face?

The heroic memory of thy native race,—

Who forced tyrannic hosts to bleed or flee,

And made their rocks the ramparts of the free;

Their fastnesses rolled back the invading tide

Of conquest, and their mountains taught them pride.

Hence they have patriot names,—in fancy’s eye,

Bright as their glaciers glittering in the sky;

Patriots who make the pageantries of kings

Like shadows seem and unsubstantial things.

Their guiltless glory mocks oblivion’s rust,

Imperishable, for their cause was just.

Heroes of old! to whom the Nine have strung

Their lyres, and spirit-stirring anthems sung;

Heroes of chivalry! whose banners grace

The isles of many a consecrated place,

Confess how few of you can match in fame

The martyr Winkelried’s immortal name!