Poems (Cromwell)/Dominion

by Gladys Cromwell

DOMINION

Patrician overthrown, What lyric powers oppose The dogmas you intone! You still would be of those Who rule by "willing"?—No. Chaos within, I say, Compels your star to glow With fixed complacency.

When a bright star shall dance, 'Twill be from lowly fires. That sting your arrogance! Among the patient choirs Of Heaven, old Earth maintains Her meaning. Dare to call Her measure prose! Her strains Are immemorial.

Earth gives you patronage. Yes, you, who have surpassed Her human heritage Of wisdom, the meek past Enshrouds and swaddles. Are You free? The Master?—Yes,— Imperial, titular;—But Earth you can't possess!——Old Earth,—old, constant Earth, In whom is dancing thought And song and endless birth Of wonder—Earth, so old, Yet still so new with years That none her sway shall hold Except the lyric seers.