The summer I had passed in my own fashion br High in the Alps, a proselyte to toil. br I was released and free, and spent my passion br On the bare rocks as on a fruitful soil. br I had soothed my soul with labour, and its fire br Borne to those naked heights where I unfurled br My flag with new ambitions, high and higher br Even to the last bleak outposts of the world. br My soul had needed courage, and behold! br Here in these battles with the hosts of air br And rock and snow and storm she had grown bold br And proved her temper for the coming war. br This was her gain, the strife she must engage br With physical fear, her childhood's heritage.