Page:The Secret Key and Other Verses - Evans.djvu/37

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THE NATION BUILDERS

A handful of workers seeking the star of a strong
intent
A handful of heroes scattered to conquer a conti-
nent–
Thirst, and fever, and famine, drought, and ruin, and
flood,
And the bones that bleach on the sandhill, and the
spears that redden with blood;
And the pitiless might of the molten skies, at noon,
on the sun-cracked plain,
And the walls of the northern jungles, shall front
them ever in vain,
Till the land that lies like a giant asleep shall wake
to the victory won,
And the hearts of the Nation Builders shall know
that the work is done.