Unheeded still, and unappeased, it swelled.

And now it pleads in vain, and now it rages—

The answer still withheld.

A century ago it shrieked and clamored

Till trembled emperors and kings grew pale;

At gates of palaces it roared and hammered,—

The same old wail.

It got no final answer, though its passion

Altered the face of Europe, monarchs slew;

But ere it sank to silence, in some fashion