Not done, but near its ending, <br />Is the work that our eyes desired; <br />Not yet fulfilled, but near the goal, <br />Is the hope that our worn hearts fired. <br />And on the Alban Mountains, <br />Where the blushes of dawn increase, <br />We see the flash of the beautiful feet <br />Of Freedom and of Peace! <br /> <br />How long were our fond dreams baffled!- <br />Novara's sad mischance, <br />The Kaiser's sword and fetter-lock, <br />And the traitor stab of France; <br />Till at last came glorious Venice, <br />In storm and tempest home; <br />And now God maddens the greedy kings, <br />And gives to her people Rome. <br /> <br />Lame Lion of Caprera! <br />Red-shirts of the lost campaigns! <br />Not idly shed was the costly blood <br />You poured from generous veins. <br />For the shame of Aspromonte, <br />And the stain of Mentana's sod, <br />But forged the curse of kings that sprang <br />From your breaking hearts to God! <br /> <br />We lift our souls to thee, O Lord <br />Of Liberty and of Light! <br />Let not earth's kings pollute the work <br />That was done in their despite; <br />Let not thy light be darkened <br />In the shade of a sordid crown, <br />Nor pampered swine devour the fruit <br />Thou shook'st with an earthquake down! <br /> <br />Let the People come to their birthright, <br />And crosier and crown pass away <br />Like phantasms that flit o'er the marshes <br />At the glance of the clean, white day. <br />And then from the lava of Ætna <br />To the ice of the Alps let there be <br />One freedom, one faith without fetters, <br />One republic in Italy free!<br /><br />John Hay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-prayer-of-the-romands/
