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Edgar Lee Masters - Filipinos, Remember Us
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You, if it fall to you to take 
From us the lamp that Athens gave, 
Fill it with mercy for our sake, 
And light us gently to the grave. 

The Goth and Vandal rendered not 
For evil good --but all in vain 
Have we, your victors, prayed and taught 
If through you freedom bleeds again. 

Bound home, but blown across the sea 
In earth that clings about his feet, 
The whinchat bears the seedling tree, 
And plants the sterile lands with wheat. 

But we --we shipped with slime for freight, 
Unknown to us what in it grew; 
And brought untoward to our hate 
The germ of Liberty to you. 

When you have armed and joined the East 
To swell the Peril which affrights 
Our bloody conscience at the feast, 
Where Fate the ancient curse re-writes; 

When the White Peril, slumber bound, 
Gorged full, the sport of bottle flies, 
Awakes to find you on his ground 
Puissant, cynical and wise; 

Kicking his childish lies and frauds 
`Round infamy`s quiescent yard; 
And raking from the wall the gawds 
Despite the dull and drunken guard; 

Or battering down the entrance door 
Long shut, while yours was opened wide, 
To forage in our golden store, 
Our rich possessions to divide; 

To us it were but poor amends 
Our sons with hatred to entreat; 
Remember us, who were your friends 
Right in the battle`s blood and heat. 

For our sakes, centuries sunk in sleep, 
Who strove to stave the certain doom, 
Our brothers` sons forgive, and keep 
The flower of Liberty in bloom. 

Move not in blindness, as of old 
The unconscious Hun devoured the land; 
You must, with history`s page unrolled, 
Be god-like in your great command. 

Yes, if it fall to you to take 
From us the lamp that Athens gave, 
Fill it with gladness for our sake, 
Restore the weak and free the slave: 

Fill every place of waste with love, 
And every land of woe with light, 
Till Peace, the pentecostal dove, 
Descend and consecrate your might
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