Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.
On the Birth of a Child
By Louis Untermeyer
L
Child, you have come, like a conquering about,
Out of a struggle—into strife;
Out of a darkness—into doubt.
Child, you must ride into endless wars,
With the sword of protest, the buckler of truth,
And a banner of love to sweep the stars.
Into defeat you must plunge and grope—
Be to the faltering an urge;
Be to the hopeless years a hope!
Be to its unconcern a blow—
For out of its pain and tumult you came,
And into its tumult and pain you go.