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rome from the ripetta.
Will not the Voice which said—"Let there be light,"
And light creative sprang from Chaos' womb—
Dispel the phantoms of this darker night,
While sing the morning stars—"Be free, O Rome!"
And light creative sprang from Chaos' womb—
Dispel the phantoms of this darker night,
While sing the morning stars—"Be free, O Rome!"
First light, then life—first truth, then liberty;
If such the everlasting law—what then
Avails, that with phrenetic phantasy,
Should struggle in vain strife insensate men?
If such the everlasting law—what then
Avails, that with phrenetic phantasy,
Should struggle in vain strife insensate men?
The immortal sorrow of Titanic hearts
Ever lamenting in abysmal pain—
Eternal failure—warns the fetter parts
Once more to reunite the shortened chain.
Ever lamenting in abysmal pain—
Eternal failure—warns the fetter parts
Once more to reunite the shortened chain.
But God has patience—if weak men have faith,
Long ages rise and ebb before His throne
Transient and vain, as dying infant's breath,
Yet each its own appointed task has done.
Long ages rise and ebb before His throne
Transient and vain, as dying infant's breath,
Yet each its own appointed task has done.
And thus the purpose of a people's will,
Though tyrants oft the work of shame renew,
Stands steadfast as the Will Supreme; while still
Fail the weak efforts of the frenzied few.
Though tyrants oft the work of shame renew,
Stands steadfast as the Will Supreme; while still
Fail the weak efforts of the frenzied few.
