Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/88

 She that once by sword and once by word imperial Struck bright thy gloom; And a third time, casting off these years funereal, Shall burst thy tomb. By that bond ’twixt thee and me whereat affrighted Thy tyrants fear us; By that hope and this remembrance reunited; (Cho.) O mother, hear us.

I am she that set my seal upon the nameless West worlds of seas; And my sons as brides took unto them the tameless Hesperides. Till my sins and sons through sinless lands dispersed, With red flame shod, Made accurst the name of man, and thrice accursed The name of God. Lest for those past fires the fires of my repentance Hell’s fume yet smother, Now my blood would buy remission of my sentence; (Cho.) O mother, hear us.

I am she that was thy sign and standard-bearer, Thy voice and cry;