Renascence: A Book of Verse — The New Light

[Illustration: ·THE·NEW·LIGHT·] AWAKE, O world!

From thy long sleep arise!

For a new light breaks in reddening skies: Shake off your rust-eaten fetters, ye slaves!

And claim the Freedom of winds and of waves: Unwind!

O unwind all the swathing clothes Of bondage and ignorance, nations’ woes: Break the dark might of enchantment’s spell, Burst all thy bonds, and the chorus swell!

Kindle on every high hill a clear fire: Plant in the cities, on tower and spire, The banner of Freedom!

Wide let it wave Over sea and land, and over the grave Of buried oppression, and chains decayed Of tyrant’s power: till the ghosts shall be laid Of fraud and violence, bloodshed and war: And, burned in the flame of freedom’s fair star, All wrongs shall be dust and ashes on earth— Dead leaves from whose death shall spring a new birth Which shall spread and grow like a fruitful tree, And under its branches shall live the Free.

[Illustration] [Illustration: HYMN OF FREE PEOPLES] I O KINDREDS!

peoples strong!

That earth’s large arms enfold, Against the powers that work ye wrong, In common cause make bold.