The New Colossus


This is the poem that is engraved on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. It was written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 and placed on a bronze plaque on the statue's base in 1903.



The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"


-Emma Lazarus

Comments

Bill Bynum said…
A stirring, beautiful poem. I have never seen all of it, although I've read several quotes of pieces of it. The poem probably won't come up in the discussion of the Immigration Bill, but it ought to.
Perpetua said…
Thanks for this, Penny. I know the few famous lines towards the end, but have never seen the rest of it. Fine sentiments and if only we would still live by them.
Yes, Bill, it ought to, but I fear it won't.
Indeed, Perpetua. If only.