BUILDED of Love and Joy and Faith and Hope, Thou standest firm beyond the tides of war That dash in gloom and fear and tempest-roar, Beacon of Europe! -- though wise pilots grope Where trusted lights are lost; though the dread scope Of storm is wider, deadlier than before; Ay, though the very floods that strew the shore Seem to obey some power turned misanthrope. For thou art witness to a world's desire, And when -- oh, happiest of days! -- shall cease The throes by which our Age doth bring to birth The fairest of her daughters, heavenly Peace, When Man's red folly has been purged in fire, Thou shalt be Capitol of all the Earth. |