New-born

Many causes produce war. There are ancient hatreds, turbulent frontiers, the "legacy of old forgotten, far-off things, and battles long ago." There are new-born fanaticisms. Convictions on the part of certain peoples that they have become the unique depositories of ultimate truth and right.

"O happy ye, whose walls already rise!" / Exclaimed AEneas, and with envious eyes / looked up where pinnacles and roof-tops showed / the new-born city; then in wondrous wise, / clothed in the covering of the friendly cloud, / passed through the midst unseen, and mingled with the crowd.

Then, audience granted, as the fane they filled, / thus calmly spake the eldest of the train, / Ilioneus: "O queen, whom Jove hath willed / to found this new-born city, here to reign, / and stubborn tribes with justice to refrain, / we, Troy's poor fugitives, implore thy grace, / storm-tost and wandering over every main: / forbid the flames our vessels to deface, / mark our afflicted plight, and spare a pious race."

Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer.