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Knowledge
I
- I SAW a people trampled on, oppressed,
- With helpless hands, and eyes of light afraid,
- With aching shoulders whereon burdens laid
- By day and night choked hope and murdered rest;
- A people sordid, sad, unloved, unblessed,
- Whose shroud by their own hands was ever made,
- Whose never‐ending toil was only paid
- By death‐in‐life—or death, of life’s gifts best.
- ‘What help,’ I cried, ‘for these whose hands are weak—
- Too weak to hold the weapons they should wield;
- Too weak to grasp a helping hand, or seek
- With armed battalions to dispute the field,
- And on the oppressors just revenge to wreak?’
- Then—as I cried—the helper was revealed.
II
- I saw a woman, pure, and calm, and grand,
- With strong broad brows, and eyes whose keen clear flame
- Lit up men’s hearts and showed them glory and shame,
- And what things could, and what things could not stand,
- Justice and Honour stood at her right hand;
- And blazoned on her forehead was her name,
- Too bright for me to read; and as she came
- Men bowed and worshipped her through all the land.
- And evil could not live before her eyes,
- And good rose up to answer her call.
- ‘Who art thou,’ then I said, ‘that dost arise
- Strong to redeem this people from their thrall?’
- She answered me with tender voice and wise:
- ‘My name is Knowledge—and I conquer all!’
