EARTH AND SKY
We claim the earth as ours to sell and buy
None claim the sky.
To the broad, bright dominion of the Sun
Titles have none.
Mile after mile it stretches on afar
From star to star,
Span after span extend its arches, proud,
From cloud to cloud,
Rulers are born or chosen for the earth
Throughout its girth,
The sky's clear distance beautiful and broad
Is ruled by God;
No petty despot will, one planet hath
Swerved from its path
Or caused the loyal clouds to tribute pay
By night or day.
We change the earth's green surface with our hands
Lay waste its lands,
Hew down its forests or with noise and shock
Tear up its solid rock;
No feeble blundering hand can touch to mar
Sun, cloud or star.
Vast domes and monuments we rear and plan,
Great rivers span,
But not one dome 'midst those above we lift
Nor bridge one rift
In all the white cloud-continents that lie
Strewn o'er the sky.
We launch strong ships to sail the ocean o'er
From shore to shore;
None claim the sky.
To the broad, bright dominion of the Sun
Titles have none.
Mile after mile it stretches on afar
From star to star,
Span after span extend its arches, proud,
From cloud to cloud,
Rulers are born or chosen for the earth
Throughout its girth,
The sky's clear distance beautiful and broad
Is ruled by God;
No petty despot will, one planet hath
Swerved from its path
Or caused the loyal clouds to tribute pay
By night or day.
We change the earth's green surface with our hands
Lay waste its lands,
Hew down its forests or with noise and shock
Tear up its solid rock;
No feeble blundering hand can touch to mar
Sun, cloud or star.
Vast domes and monuments we rear and plan,
Great rivers span,
But not one dome 'midst those above we lift
Nor bridge one rift
In all the white cloud-continents that lie
Strewn o'er the sky.
We launch strong ships to sail the ocean o'er
From shore to shore;
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