Always the burning summons,
The sweet, imperative madness,
Rides over me, like a conqueror,
Careless and confident...
Even so goes Love,
Trampling and invincible;
With rapt and pitiless beauty,
Rough-shod over the world!
SONGS OF PROTEST
To James Oppenheim
CHALLENGE
The quiet and courageous night,
The keen vibration of the stars,
Call me, from morbid peace, to fight
The world's forlorn and desperate wars.
The air throbs like a rolling drum—
The brave hills and the singing sea,
Unrest and people's faces come
Like battle-trumpets, rousing me.
And while Life's lusty banner flies,
I shall assail, with raging mirth,
The scornful and untroubled skies,
The cold complacency of earth.