Victory

O unclouded life!

So pure and profound and clear.

Ancient dreams float

wonderfully out of the flowers.

The spirit has broken the chains

of the body's sluggish lead;

it reigns, great and free.

Thoughts are refreshed

by the fruits of Eden;

the old curse is ended.

Whatever I may have suffered,

contending for the Palm,

stilled is my yearning.

The Muses themselves have sung

the serpent into the sleep of death,

and my hand actually struck the blow.

O unclouded life!

So pure and profound and clear.

Ancient dreams float

wonderfully out of the flowers.