Page:In Bohemia (1886).djvu/84

78 O time traditioned! ere thy dismal sequel,
 * Men owned the world, and every man was free;

The lowest life was noble; all were equal
 * In needs and creeds,—their birthright Liberty.

Possession had no power of caste, nor learning;
 * He was not great who owned a shining stone;

No seer was needed for the truth's discerning,
 * Nor king nor code to teach the world its own.

Distinction lived, but gave no power o'er others.
 * As flowers have no dominion each o'er each;

"What men could do they did among their brothers
 * By skill of hand or gift of song or speech.

Dear Golden Age! that like a deathless spirit
 * Fills our traditions with a light sublime;

Like wheat from Egypt's tombs our souls inherit
 * Sweet dreams of freedom from thy vanished time.

O Goddess Liberty! thy sun was cleaving
 * Its golden path across a perfect sky.

When lo! a cloud, from night below upheaving,
 * And underneath a shadow and a cry!