  And I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth.—St. John. I come, O heroes, to the world gone wrong; I bring the hope of nations; and I bear The warm first rush of rapture in my song, The faint first light of morning on my hair. I look upon the ages from a tower; I am the Muse of the Fraternal State; No hand can hold me from my crowning hour; My song is Freedom and my step is Fate. The toilers go on broken at the heart; They send the spell of beauty on all lands; But what avail? the builders have no part— No share in all the glory of their hands. I have descended from Alcyone; I am the muse of Labor and of Mirth; That Greed’s blind hammers forge about the earth. I have descended from the Hidden Place, To make dumb spirits speak and dead feet start: I feel the wind of battles in my face, I hear the song of nations in my heart. I stand by Him, the Hero of the Cross, To hurl down traitors that misspend His bread; I touch the star of mystery and loss To shake the kingdoms of the living dead. I wear the flower of Christus for a crown; I poise the suns and give to each a name; And through the hushed Eternity bend down To strengthen gods and keep their souls from blame. To let the joy of nations rise again; I am Unselfish Service, I am Song, I am the Hope that feeds the hearts of men. I am the Vision in the world-eclipse, And where I pass the feet of Beauty burn; And when I set the bugle to my lips, The youth of work-worn races will return. I am Religion and the church I build, Stands on the sacred flesh with passion packed; In me the ancient gospels are fulfilled— In me the symbol rises into Fact. I am the maker of the People’s bread, I bear the little burdens of the day; Yet in the Mystery of Song I tread The endless heavens and show the stars their way.
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