University of Virginia Library

XIV. THE FOUNDATION STONE.

Descend, strong Stone, into my country's breast:
Child of the sea-beat cliff, or skiey height,
Descend, well-pleased, into the eternal night;
Amid the eternal silence make thy rest!
Descend in hope, thou high, prophetic Guest,
For God a covenant upon thee doth write:
On thee His pledge is graved in words of might
Plain as those mandates by His hand impressed,
While Sinai's peaks made answer, thunder-riven,
On the twinned Tablets of the Hebrew Law.
This day the future with the past is wed;
The undying promise with the greatness dead;
Ireland this day her ancient pact with Heaven
Renews in godly triumph, loving awe.