AWAKE!
The following verses were recited at the Indian National Congress, at Bombay, in December, 1915.
Waken, O mother! thy children implore thee, Who kneel in thy presence to serve and adore thee ! The night is aflush with a dream of the morrow, Why still dost thou sleep in thy bondage of sorrow ? Awaken and sever the woes that enthral us, And hallow our hands for the triumphs that call us !
Are we not thine, O Belov’d, to inherit The manifold pride and power of thy spirit? Ne’er shall we fail thee, forsake thee or falter, Whose hearts are thy home and thy shield and thine altar,
Lo ! we would thrill the high stars with thy story, And set thee again in the forefront of glory.
Hindus: —Mother ! the flowers of our worship have crowned thee ! Parsees: —Mother ! the flame of our hope shall surround thee ! Mussulmans: —Mother ! the sword of our love shall defend thee ! Christians: —Mother ! the song of our faith shall attend thee ! All Creeds: —Shall not our dauntless devotion avail thee ? Hearken ! O queen and O goddess, we hail thee !