Still green with flowerless growth of seedling days,

To build again my city; that no drop

Fallen of these innocent veins on the cold ground

[Pg 53]

But shall help knit the joints of her firm walls

To knead the stones together, and make sure

The band about her maiden girdlestead

Once fastened, and of all men's violent hands

Inviolable for ever; these to me

900

Were no such gifts as crave no thanksgiving,

If with one blow dividing the sheer life

I might make end, and one pang wind up all

And seal mine eyes from sorrow; for such end

The Gods give none they love not; but my heart,

That leaps up lightened of all sloth or fear

To take the sword's point, yet with one thought's load

Flags, and falls back, broken of wing, that halts

Maimed in mid flight for thy sake and borne down,

Mother, that in the places where I played

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