TO THE FOURTH
OF JULY
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Behold, the dark clouds melt away
That gathered thick at night, and hung
So like a gloomy pall above the earth!
Before thy magic touch, the world
Awares. The birds in chorus sing.
The flowers raise their star-like crowns,
Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair.
The lakes are opening wide in love
Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes
To welcome thee, with all their depth
All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light!
A Welcome new to thee, today,
O sun! Today thou sheddest Liberty!
Bethink thee how the world did wait,
And search for there, through time and clime
Some gave up home and love of friends,
And went in quest of thee, self-banished,
Through dreary oceans, through primeval forests,
Each step a struggle for their life or death:
Then came the day when work before fruit,
And worship, love, and sacrifice,
Fulfilled, accepted, and complete.
Then thou, propitious, rose and shed
The light of Freedom on mankind.
Move on, O Lord, in thy resistless path!
Till thy high noon o’erspreads the world,
Till every land reflects thy light,
Till men and women, with uplifted head,
Behold their shackles broken, and
Know, in springing joy, their life renewed!