Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/267

 How should one charge thee, how sway, Save by the memories that were? Not thy gold nor the strength of thy ships, Nor the might of thine armies at bay, Made thee, mother, most fair; But a word from republican lips Said in thy name in thy day.

Hast thou said it, and hast thou forgot? Is thy praise in thine ears as a scoff? Blood of men guiltless was shed, Children, and souls without spot, Shed, but in places far off; Let slaughter no more be, said Milton; and slaughter was not.

Was it not said of thee too, Now, but now, by thy foes, By the slaves that had slain their France, And thee would slay as they slew— "Down with her walls that enclose Freemen that eye us askance, Fugitives, men that are true!"