O ye gods, if you could tell us br What ye are — if banned or blest — br Ye that reigned of old in Hellas! br Ye that ruled the radiant West! br Old-born gods! The Past still flashes br In the eyes of Greece and Rome; br Ye are not mere dust and ashes br Urned for all the years to come. br Ye that ruled in heavenly places, br And the faith of mortals won! br Gods created by old races br Perished from beneath the sun; br Born of faith, and with it blended, br Ye shall yet the world inspire br Till the last breath has ascended br From the latest altar fire. br All the hopes and invocations br Breathed by lips of heroes dead, br All the genius of the nations br Who the march of Freedom led — br Though your temples broke and fell as br Dusty fanes of little worth — br These will keep you, gods of Hellas! br Still alive upon the earth.