Freedom.
1.
O thou so fair in summers gone,1
While yet thy fresh and virgin soul2
Inform’d the column’d Parthenon,3
The glittering Capitol ;4
2.
So fair in southern sunshine bathed,5
But scarce of such majestic mien6
As here with foreheard vapour-swathed7
In meadows ever green ;8
3.
For thou—when Athens reign’d and Rome,9
Thy glorious eyes were dimm’d with pain10
To mark in many a freeman’s home11
The slave, the scourge, the chain ;12
4.
O follower of the Vision, still13
In motion to the distant gleam,14
Howe’er blind force and brainless will15
May jar thy golden dream,16
5.
Who, like great Nature, wouldst not mar17
By changes all too fierce and fast18
This order of our Human Star,19
This heritage of the past ;20
6.
O scorner of the party cry21
That wanders from the public good,22
Thou—when the nations rear on high23
Their idol smear’d with blood,24
7.
And when they roll their idol down—25
Of saner Worship sanely proud ;26
Thou loather of the lawless crown27
As of the lawless crowd ;28
8.
How long thine ever-growing mind29
Hath still’d the blast and strown the wave,30
Tho’ some of late would raise a wind31
To sing thee to thy grave,32
9.
Men loud against all forms of power—33
Unfurnish’d brows, tempestuous tongues—34
Expecting all things in an hour—35
Brass mouths and iron lungs !36