The dumb defiance of despair.
18. A sudden impulse thrilled each wire
That signaled round that sea of fire;
Swift words of cheer, warm heart-throbs came,
In tears of pity died the flame.
19. From East, from West, from South, from North,
The messages of hope shot forth,
And underneath the severing wave,
The world, full-handed, reached to save.
20. Fair seemed the old; but fairer still