Freedom

GEORGE AMBROSE DENNISON

I met my comrade in the way,
And scarce I knew his face,
So changed it was from grave to gay,
So lit with light of higher day,
So touched to nobler grace.

"Now tell me, comrade, what hath wrought
This wondrous change in thee?"
"My lifelong foe and I have fought;
He's slain, with all the woes he brought,
And now my life is free."

I journeyed on, and saw the ground
Where they had fought; and near,
There rose a newly-fashioned mound,
And o'er its head inscribed I found
The legend, "Here lies fear."

A thousand new-sprung flowers were there,
Where struggling feet had trod.
The breath of freedom stirred the air,
New voices sang a message fair,—
Methought they sang of God.