OUT of the murk of heaviest clouds, br Out of the feudal wrecks, and heap'd-up skeletons of kings, br Out of that old entire European debris--the shatter'd mummeries, br Ruin'd cathedrals, crumble of palaces, tombs of priests, br Lo! Freedom's features, fresh, undimm'd, look forth--the same br immortal face looks forth; br (A glimpse as of thy mother's face, Columbia, br A flash significant as of a sword, br Beaming towards thee.) br br Nor think we forget thee, Maternal; br Lag'd'st thou so long? Shall the clouds close again upon thee? 10 br Ah, but thou hast Thyself now appear'd to us--we know thee; br Thou hast given us a sure proof, the glimpse of Thyself; br Thou waitest there, as everywhere, thy time.