That Song of the Siren Transforms Us Into Beasts
Patrick Henry's stirring "Give Me Liberty" speech is worth reading, memorizing or even (especially!) reciting aloud. Henry's reference to the "song of the siren" in this excerpt offers yet another glimpse of the familiarity with the classics that our nation's founders possessed.
Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings . . . it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
—Patrick Henry, St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia, March 23, 1775 ("Give Me Liberty" speech)
Henry's "Give Me Liberty" speech is just one of the classic selections found in the Primary Source Reader for American Culture from Cottage Press.
