Page:Poems Blagden.djvu/172

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142

ON THE ITALIAN COLOURS BEING REPLACED ON THE PALAZZO VECCHIO.
I.

O'er the old tower, like bright flame curled,
Which leapeth sudden to the sky,
Its emblem hues all wide unfurled,
Upsprings the flag of Italy.

II.

Its emblem hues! the brave blood shed,
The true life-blood by heroes given,
The green palms of the martyred dead,
The snowy robes they wear in heaven!

III.

These colours all high hearts must bear;
They tell of courage, truth, and faith,
The heart to know, to will, to dare,
The threefold life which o'ercomes death.