This poem also appeared in The Liberator (August, 1921): [*] Claude McKay Africa The Liberator (August, 1921): 20 , where even numbered lines were indented, and [] .
The sun sought thy dim bed and brought forth light,
The sciences were sucklings at thy breast;
When all the world was young in pregnant night
Thy slaves toiled at thy monumental best.;*
Thou ancient treasure-landtreasure land, thou modern prize,
New peoples marvel at thy pyramids!;*
The years roll on, thy sphinx of riddle eyesriddle-eyes
Watches the mad world with immobile lids.;*
The Hebrews humbled them at Pharaoh's name.;*
Cradle of Power! Yet all things were in vain!
Honor Honour* and Glory, Arrogance and Fame!
They went. The darkness swallowed thee again.
Thou art the harlot, now thy time is done,
Of all the mighty nations of the sun.