 | Gods of war |  |
29
EMPIRE.
Say, for what foemen watch and ward you keep?From iron throats the ceaseless voices thrill,
The loud deliverers of imperial will.
Still must you dream although you may not sleep:
A dream, a dream assails you o'er the deep!
And some yet mightier dream alone may kill
The viewless foeman, and preserve you still
From that dim cavern of old Time, where creep
All dying dignities and dreamless powers.
The rod of empire is for those who hold
Man's wandering mind by some immortal lure.
Be rich in dream as in your ancient hours
And bribe the spirit with unearthly gold,
And this magnificence may yet endure.
| Gods of war | |