Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/197

 Who have turned thy name to laughter, Thy sea-like sounded name That now none hearkens after For faith in its free fame, Who have robbed thee of thy trust and given thee of their shame;

These hours that mock each other, These years that kill and die, Are these thy gains, our mother, For all thy gains thrown by? Is this that end whose promise made thine heart so high?

With empire and with treason The first right hand made fast, But in man’s nobler season To put forth help the last, Love turns from thee, and memory disavows thy past.

Lest thine own sea disclaim thee, Lest thine own sons despise, Lest lips shoot out that name thee And seeing thee men shut eyes, Take thought with all thy people, turn thine head and rise.