BIRMINGHAM—1916

Once Athens worked and went to see the play,And Thomas Atkins kissed the girls of Rome,In council in Victoria Square to-dayAre grey-beard Nazarenes, with shop and homeAnd counting-house and all the friendly caresThat Joseph knew; in Bull Ring markets meetGossips as once at Babylonian fairs,And Helen walks in Corporation Street.Now Troy is Homer; and of NazarethGrave histories are of one love that was strong;Athens is beauty; Rome an immortal death;And Babylon immortal in a song....Perplexed as ours these cities were of old;And shall our name greatly as these be told?

Once Athens worked and went to see the play,

And Thomas Atkins kissed the girls of Rome,

In council in Victoria Square to-day

Are grey-beard Nazarenes, with shop and home

And counting-house and all the friendly cares

That Joseph knew; in Bull Ring markets meet

Gossips as once at Babylonian fairs,

And Helen walks in Corporation Street.

Now Troy is Homer; and of NazarethGrave histories are of one love that was strong;Athens is beauty; Rome an immortal death;And Babylon immortal in a song....Perplexed as ours these cities were of old;And shall our name greatly as these be told?

Now Troy is Homer; and of Nazareth

Grave histories are of one love that was strong;

Athens is beauty; Rome an immortal death;

And Babylon immortal in a song....

Perplexed as ours these cities were of old;

And shall our name greatly as these be told?

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