Turn, O Libertad

TURN, O Libertad, for the war is over,
(From it and all henceforth expanding, doubting no more, resolute,
sweeping the world,)
Turn from lands retrospective, recording proofs of the past;
From the singers that sing the trailing glories of the past;
From the chants of the feudal world–the triumphs of kings, slavery,
caste;
Turn to the world, the triumphs reserv’d and to come–give up that
backward world;
Leave to the singers of hitherto–give them the trailing past;
But what remains, remains for singers for you–wars to come are for
you;
(Lo! how the wars of the past have duly inured to you–and the wars
of the present also inure:)
–Then turn, and be not alarm’d, O Libertad–turn your undying
face, 10
To where the future, greater than all the past,
Is swiftly, surely preparing for you.