The earth builds on the earth br Castles and towers; br The earth saith of the earth: br All shall be ours. br br Yea, though they plan and reap br The rye and the corn, br Lo, they were bond to Sleep br Ere they were born. br br Yea, though the blind earth sows br For the fruit and the sheaf, br They shall harvest the leaf of the rose br And the dust of the leaf. br br Pride of the sword and power br Are theirs at their need br Who shall rule but the root of the flower br The fall of the seed. br br They who follow the flesh br In splendour and tears, br They shall rest and clothe them afresh br In the fulness of years. br br From the dream of the dust they came br As the dawn set free. br They shall pass as the flower of the flame br Or the foam of the sea. br br The earth builds on the earth br Castles and towers. br The earth saith of the earth: br All shall be ours.