 | Sable and purple |  |
47
THE THREATENED TOWERS
We built them not of lath and mud,
We based them not on sand.
A bulwark 'gainst the fitful flood,
To-day their ramparts stand.
We based them not on sand.
A bulwark 'gainst the fitful flood,
To-day their ramparts stand.
Think you we reared them long ago
For others to decree
Their far-resounding overthrow
Into the unknown sea?
For others to decree
Their far-resounding overthrow
Into the unknown sea?
We shall not pull the fabric down
By rude command of those
Who hold as nought this realm's renown,
And vaunt themselves our foes.
By rude command of those
Who hold as nought this realm's renown,
And vaunt themselves our foes.
48
Nay, if we did in truth desire
That what we built should fall,
Were theirs the voice to bid us fire
The roof, and mine the wall?
That what we built should fall,
Were theirs the voice to bid us fire
The roof, and mine the wall?
Let the wild wave, that would submerge
All ancient things and great,
With hoarse and ineffectual surge
Break on the towers of State.
All ancient things and great,
With hoarse and ineffectual surge
Break on the towers of State.
The ages, pondering at their toil,
Welded this stone and lime,
And no rash hands of haste shall foil
The slow, wise thoughts of Time.
Welded this stone and lime,
And no rash hands of haste shall foil
The slow, wise thoughts of Time.
| Sable and purple | |