XI

The eager hours and unreluctant years

As on a dawn-illumined mountain stood.

Trampling to silence their loud hopes and fears,

Darkening each other with their multitude,

And cried aloud, 'Liberty!' Indignation

Answered Pity from her cave;

Death grew pale within the grave,

And Desolation howled to the destroyer, Save!

When like Heaven's Sun girt by the exhalation

Of its own glorious light, thou didst arise,

Chasing thy foes from nation unto nation

Like shadows: as if day had cloven the skies

At dreaming midnight o'er the western wave,

Men started, staggering with a glad surprise,

Under the lightnings of thine unfamiliar eyes.