Though the names be lost, and changed the signs of Light and Wisdom
be, [_Ep. 1._
By these only shall men conquer, by these only be set free:
When the whole world's eye was Athens, these were yours, and theirs
were ye.
Light was given you of your wisdom, light ye gave the world again:
As the sun whose godhead lightened on her soul was Hellas then:
Yea, the least of all her children as the chosen of other men.
Change your hearts not with your garments, nor your faith with
creeds that change:
Truth was yours, the truth which time and chance transform not nor
estrange:
Purer truth nor higher abides not in the reach of time's whole
range.
Gods are they in all men's memories and for all time's periods,
They that hurled the host back seaward which had scourged the sea
with rods:
Gods for us are all your fathers, even the least of these as gods.
In the dark of days the thought of them is with us, strong to save,
They that had no lord, and made the Great King lesser than a slave;
They that rolled all Asia back on Asia, broken like a wave.
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