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‘O MONSTROUS, dead, unprofitable world, That thou canst hear, and hearing, hold thy way. A voice oracular hath peal’d to-day, To-day a hero’s banner is unfurl’d. Hast thou no lip for welcome?’ So I said. Man after man, the world smil’d and pass’d by: A smile of wistful incredulity As though one spike of noise unto the dead: Scornful, and strange, and sorrowful; and full Of bitter knowledge. Yet the Will is free: Strong is the Soul, and wise, and beautiful: The seeds of godlike power are in us still: Gods are we, Bards, Saints, Heroes, if we will.— Dumb judges, answer, truth or mockery? |