Thou warden of the western gate, above Manhatten Bay, <br />The fogs of doubt that hid thy face are driven clean away: <br />Thine eyes at last look far and clear, thou liftest high thy hand <br />To spread the light of liberty world-wide for every land. <br /> <br />No more thou dreamest of a peace reserved alone for thee, <br />While friends are fighting for thy cause beyond the guardian sea: <br />The battle that they wage is thine; thou fallest if they fall; <br />The swollen flood of Prussian pride will sweep unchecked o'er all. <br /> <br />O cruel is the conquer-lust in Hohenzollern brains; <br />The paths they plot to gain their goal are dark with shameful stains: <br />No faith they keep, no law revere, no god but naked Might; -- <br />They are the foemen of mankind. Up, Liberty, and smite! <br /> <br />Britain, and France, and Italy, and Russia newly born, <br />Have waited for thee in the night. Oh, come as comes the morn. <br />Serene and strong and full of faith, America, arise, <br />With steady hope and mighty help to join th brave Allies. <br /> <br />O dearest country of my heart, home of the high desire, <br />Make clean thy soul for sacrifice on Freedom's altar-fire: <br />For thou must suffer, thou must fight, until the warlords cease, <br />And all the peoples lift their heads in liberty and peace.<br /><br />Henry Van Dyke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/liberty-enlightening-the-world/
