5
WHAT need of a lamp
when day lightens us,
what need to bind love
when love stands
with such radiant wings
over us?
What need—
yet to sing love,
love must first shatter us.
Toward the Piræus
SLAY with your eyes, Greek,
men over the face of the earth,
slay with your eyes, the host,
puny, passionless, weak.
Break as the ranks of steel
broke when the Persian lost:
craven, we hated them then:
now we would count them Gods
beside these, spawn of the earth.
Grant us your mantle, Greek;
grant us but one
to fright (as your eyes) with a sword,
men, craven and weak,
grant us but one to strike
one blow for you, passionate Greek.