Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | II. Freedom | | A Holy Nation | | Richard Realf (1832–1878) |
| | | LET Liberty run onward with the years, | |
| And circle with the seasons; let her break | |
| The tyrant’s harshness, the oppressor’s spears; | |
| Bring ripened recompenses that shall make | |
| Supreme amends for sorrow’s long arrears; | 5 |
| Drop holy benison on hearts that ache; | |
| Put clearer radiance into human eyes, | |
| And set the glad earth singing to the skies. | |
| |
| Clean natures coin pure statutes. Let us cleanse | |
| The hearts that beat within us; let us mow | 10 |
| Clear to the roots our falseness and pretence, | |
| Tread down our rank ambitions, overthrow | |
| Our braggart moods of puffed self-consequence, | |
| Plough up our hideous thistles which do grow | |
| Faster than maize in May time, and strike dead | 15 |
| The base infections our low greeds have bred. | | | | |
|
|
