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Through the pregnant universe rumbles life's terrific thunder
 * And Earth's bowels quake with terror; strange and terrible storms break,

Lightning-torches flame the heavens, kindling souls of men thereunder:
 * Africa! long ages sleeping, Oh my motherland, awake!

In the East the clouds glow crimson with the new dawn that is breaking,
 * And its golden glory fills the western skies:—
 * Oh my brothers and my sisters, wake! arise!

For the new birth rends the old earth and the very dead are waking,
 * Ghosts are turned flesh, throwing off the grave's disguise,
 * And the foolish, even children, are made wise;

For the big earth groans in travail for the strong, new world in making—
 * Oh my brothers, dreaming for dim centuries,
 * Wake from sleeping; to the East turn, turn youyour [sic] eyes!

Oh the night is sweet for sleeping, but the shining day's for working;
 * Sons of the seductive night, for your children's children's sake,

From the deep primeval forests where the crouching leopard's lurking,
 * Lift your heavy-lidded eyes,—Ethiopia! awake!