Myself

What am I? I am Earth the mother,

With all her nebulous memories;

And the young Day, and Night her brother,

And every god that was and is.

As Eve I walked in paradise,

Dreaming of nations, braving death

For knowledge; nor begrudged the price

When the first baby first drew breath.

I sang Deborah's triumph song;

I struck the foe with Judith's sword;

'Twas I who to the angel said,

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord!"

I was fair Helen, she for whom

A nation was content to die;

And Cleopatra, in whose doom

The world went down with Antony.

I am the harlot in the street,

And the veiled nun all undefiled;

In me must queen and beggar meet,

Wise age hark to the little child.

I am the life that ever is,

And the new glory that shall be;

The pain that dies, and the brave bliss

That mounts to immortality.