Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/146

 Mine eyes as pilot-lights. Not as guerdons given of kings the gifts I brought her, Not strengths that pass away; But my heart, my breath of life, O France, O daughter, I gave thee in that day. Yea, the heart's blood of a very God I gave thee, Breathed in thy mouth his breath; Was my word as a man's, having no more strength to save thee From this worse thing than death? Didst thou dream of it only, the day that I stood nigh thee, Was all its light a dream? When that iron surf roared backwards and went by thee Unscathed of storm or stream: When thy sons rose up and thy young men stood together, One equal face of fight, And my flag swam high as the swimming sea-foam's feather, Laughing, a lamp of light? Ah the lordly laughter and light of it, that lightened Heaven-high, the heaven's whole length! Ah the hearts of heroes pierced, the bright lips whitened Of strong men in their strength! Ah the banner-poles, the stretch of straightening streamers