 | The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere |  |
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VIII. TO THE SAME.—2. June 12, 1861.
‘To manhood with loud cries thy land was born’—Was born! is born! Her trumpets peal this hour
The authentic voice of Nationhood and Power!
The iron in her soul indignant worn
This day she tramples down. Her lips have sworn
To lift the dusky race in chains that cower;
And if once more the tempests round her lour
Her smile goes through them like the smile of morn!
Great Realm! The men that in thy sunnier day
Looked on thee dubious or with brow averse,
Now thou hast put the evil thing away,
Our sin and thine, Time's dread transmitted curse,
Send up their prayers to prop that lifted hand
Which gives to God a liberated Land!
| The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere | |