On the Castle of Chillon by George (Lord) Byron

ETERNAL Spirit of the chainless Mind! 
Brightest in dungeons Liberty! thou art  
For there thy habitation is the heart¡ª 
The heart which love of Thee alone can bind. 
And when thy sons to fetters are consign'd 5 
To fetters and the damp vault's dayless gloom  
Their country conquers with their martyrdom  
And Freedom's fame finds wings on every wind. 
Chillon! thy prison is a holy place 
And thy sad floor an altar for 'twas trod 10 
Until his very steps have left a trace 
Worn as if thy cold pavement were a sod  
By Bonnivard! May none those marks efface! 
For they appeal from tyranny to God. 

Form: Italian Sonnet Comments

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