ODE TO MAZZINI
Our freedom's bridal robe no wrong shall stain,
No lie shall taint her speech:
But equal knowledge shall be born of pain,
And wisdom shaping each.
True leaders shall be with us, nobler laws
Shall guide us calmly to the final Cause:
And thou, earth's crownless queen,
No more shalt wail unseen,
But front the weary ages without pain:
Time shall bring back for thee
The hopes that lead the free,
And thy name fill the charmed world again.
The shame that stains thy brow
Shall not for ever mark thee to fresh fears:
For in the far light of the buried years
Shines the undarkened future that shall be
A dawn o'er sunless ages. Hearest thou,
Italia? tho' deaf sloth hath sealed thine ears,
The world has heard thy children—and God hears.
No lie shall taint her speech:
But equal knowledge shall be born of pain,
And wisdom shaping each.
True leaders shall be with us, nobler laws
Shall guide us calmly to the final Cause:
And thou, earth's crownless queen,
No more shalt wail unseen,
But front the weary ages without pain:
Time shall bring back for thee
The hopes that lead the free,
And thy name fill the charmed world again.
The shame that stains thy brow
Shall not for ever mark thee to fresh fears:
For in the far light of the buried years
Shines the undarkened future that shall be
A dawn o'er sunless ages. Hearest thou,
Italia? tho' deaf sloth hath sealed thine ears,
The world has heard thy children—and God hears.
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