| Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern American Poetry. 1919. |
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| Louis Untermeyer. 1885– |
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| 109. On the Birth of a Child |
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| LO, to the battle-ground of Life, | |
| Child, you have come, like a conquering shout, | |
| Out of a struggle—into strife; | |
| Out of a darkness—into doubt. | |
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| Girt with the fragile armor of youth, | 5 |
| Child, you must ride into endless wars, | |
| With the sword of protest, the buckler of truth, | |
| And a banner of love to sweep the stars. | |
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| About you the world's despair will surge; | |
| Into defeat you must plunge and grope. | 10 |
| Be to the faltering an urge; | |
| Be to the hopeless years a hope! | |
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| Be to the darkened world a flame; | |
| Be to its unconcern a blow— | |
| For out of its pain and tumult you came, | 15 |
| And into its tumult and pain you go. | |
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