For to-day she breathes what to her is the first of a…

For to-day she breathes what to her is the first of a nation’s breath, As she lies ’neath the gaze of the sun, as a bride, or a child new-born, Lies with fair motionless limbs in the beautiful semblance of death, Yet awake with the joy of a bird that awakes with the whisper of morn.