TO THE “WINGED VICTORY OF

Thou wonder of the warrior prow,

Supreme, immortal Victory!

Before thy majesty I bow

And all my soul flames forth to thee!

Within the shadow of thy wings

A thousand voices sound for me;

In far, tumultuous murmurings,

I catch the echo of the sea;

The salty surge that rolls more near,

Till loud and clear

In mighty thunder tones I hear

The rush of old Ægean tides,

The bright, white waves that from the shore

Sweep seaward with unceasing roar;

In dawning skies the day-star guides,

Across the surf the seabirds call,

Whilst white and tall

With swift sails swelling over all,

The shield-hung warship rides.

And like the heaven-born dreams that soar

From hero spirits, eagle-wise,

And urge to deeds of great emprise

And fly before

The eager, throbbing hearts that know

No goal but victory, even so,

Above the restless breakers’ roar,

Upon the high cliff evermore

Thou standest with bright wings outspread,

In all thy fresh-wrought godlihead,

Beloved of the conqueror!

And as I gaze I seem to trace

The features of thy fearless face,

The matchless marvel of its grace

That like a star

Across the seas of Samothrace

Shone forth afar;

I hear the southern winds intone

Whilst backward blown

Thy trailing garments, fluttering

From out the slender girdle, cling

About thy limbs and so confess

Their lines of perfect loveliness;

Then suddenly o’ er everything

Great shouts and martial echoes ring!

I see thee, storm-like, rushing past

Thy hand upon the carven mast,

And harken whilst thy proud lips fling

The loud, triumphal trumpet blast!

O glorious image! what if time

Hath smitten with ungentle touch

Thy perfect beauty? Still sublime

Thou art a conqueror, and still

All men unite to name thee such!

Before thee all my pulses thrill,

Old hopes and dreams awake in me;

O Victory,

Lead, lead but thou mine eager will,

I follow fast and far until

Some day my ship shall harbor thee!