University of Virginia Library

Colchester

Chorus of Druids before the Final Tableau

Choragus II
What spoil of the spreading ages have ye to their tops who climb?
And where are the fruits once gathered, that hung from the boughs of time?

Choragus I
Or ye that have ploughed Life's furrows, what wage of your work remains
But longing and heavy labour, and earth-hued harvest-stains?

Semi-Chorus I
Since we in our dark delusion stood awed at the sun's eclipse,
New realms to the earth are added, new flight to the sea-borne ships,
We have wrung from the hills their secrets, and harnessed the hidden springs,
And how if we chain the lightning, and challenge the air with wings!

Semi-Chorus II
Nay more, for of inward greatness what growth since the days began!
What light of emancipation now dawns in the face of man!
And softly we hear up-swelling, but never again to cease,
The hum of the swordless armies whose leader and lord is Peace.

Choragus II
Not idle, I wot, your boasting: this Mother, our hearts invoke,
Hath sown thro' the earth fair cities, and love is their only yoke:
Soon thrall and lord shall be brothers—

Choragus I
But tell me of lord or thrall
Who tastes of his life's fulfilment, ere foiled by the end of all.

Full Chorus
Though hard be the strife before us with blindness of heart and brain,
Though ages be heaped on ages ere the Slayer himself be slain,
The One that is All grows clearer to souls that have eyes to see,
And nearer and ever nearer the Knowledge that maketh free.