What am I? I am Earth the mother, br With all her nebulous memories; br And the young Day, and Night her brother, br And every god that was and is. br br As Eve I walked in paradise, br Dreaming of nations, braving death br For knowledge; nor begrudged the price br When the first baby first drew breath. br br I sang Deborah's triumph song; br I struck the foe with Judith's sword; br 'Twas I who to the angel said, br 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord!' br br I was fair Helen, she for whom br A nation was content to die; br And Cleopatra, in whose doom br The world went down with Antony. br br I am the harlot in the street, br And the veiled nun all undefiled; br In me must queen and beggar meet, br Wise age hark to the little child. br br I am the life that ever is, br And the new glory that shall be; br The pain that dies, and the brave bliss br That mounts to immortality.