Upton Sinclair, ed. (1878–1968). rn The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest. 1915.

A Marching Song

Swinburne, Algernon Charles

Algernon Charles Swinburne

(English poet of nature and liberty, 1837–1909)

WE mix from many lands,

We march for very far;

In hearts and lips and hands

Our staffs and weapons are;

The light we walk in darkens sun and moon and star.

It doth not flame and wane

With years and spheres that roll,

Storm cannot shake nor stain

The strength that makes it whole,

The fire that moulds and moves it of the sovereign soul.…

From the edge of harsh derision,

From discord and defeat,

From doubt and lame division,

We pluck the fruit and eat;

And the mouth finds it bitter, and the spirit sweet.…

O nations undivided,

O single people and free,

We dreamers, we derided,

We mad blind men that see,

We bear you witness ere ye come that ye shall be.

Ye sitting among tombs,

Ye standing round the gate,

Whom fire-mouthed war consumes,

Or cold-lipped peace bids wait,

All tombs and bars shall open, every grave and grate.…

O sorrowing hearts of slaves,

We heard you beat from far!

We bring the light that saves,

We bring the morning star;

Freedom’s good things we bring you, whence all good things are.…

Rise, ere the dawn be risen;

Come, and be all souls fed;

From field and street and prison

Come, for the feast is spread;

Live, for the truth is living; wake, for night is dead.