VI.

All love that rests upon her

Like sunshine and sweet air,

All light of perfect honour

And praise that ends in prayer,

She wins not more surely, she wears not more proudly,

Than the token of tribute that clatters thus loudly,

The tribute of foes when they meet

That rattles and rings at her feet,

The tribute of rage and of rancour,

The tribute of slaves to the free,

To the people whose hope hath its anchor

Made fast in the sea.

A Midsummer Holiday and Other Poems · 第 116 / 129 题