Iii

Who climbed beside him, and who fought And suffered and was glad? Is she a lesser thing than he, Who stained the slopes with bloody feet, or stood Beside him on some hard-won eminence of hope Exulting as the bold dawn swept A harper hand along the ringing hills? Flesh of his flesh, and of his soul the soul, Hath she not fought, hath she not climbed?

And how is she a lesser thing?-- Nay, if she ever was 'Twas we that made her so, who called her queen But kept her slave.