Chapter 5 No.5

O many-minded mother and visionary,

Asia, that sawest their westering waters sweep

With all the ships and spoils of time to carry

And all the fears and hopes of life to keep,

Thy vesture wrought of ages legendary

Hides usward thine impenetrable sleep,

And thy veiled head, night's oldest tributary,

We know not if it speak or smile or weep.

But where for us began

The first live light of man

And first-born fire of deeds to burn and leap,

The first war fair as peace

To shine and lighten Greece,

And the first freedom moved upon the deep,

God's breath upon the face of time

Moving, a present spirit, seen of men sublime;