On the approaching close of The Great Exhibition And other poems. By The Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley |
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ON THE AMERICANS CROSSING THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. |
 | On the approaching close of The Great Exhibition |  |
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ON THE AMERICANS CROSSING THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA.
1
Beneath the Tropics' blaze of lustrous day,The Empire-founders take their glorious way;
Not solely for the vulgar thirst of gold,
Pass hurrying on the adventurous and the bold;
They haste to bear unto that distant soil
(To flourish soon beneath their patient toil),
Law, order, science, arts,—and all that springs,
Beneath Civilization's sheltering wings.
Pass—Nation-makers!—onward go!—
All earth shall yet your triumph know!
2
Here, their inspiring and momentous march,Seems under one august triumphal arch,—
By Nature raised, as though to greet and grace,
Their conquering progress to the Chosen Place.
She shows her vernal pomps,—her rich array,
And with her silvery voice she seems to say,—
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Blest hoards of pure delights that ne'er shall cloy;—
On! Empire-founders!—bold and free,—
But keep your souls still true to me!”
3
And not alone her outward charms appear,The wanderer's wearied sense to soothe and cheer;
But all her gentlest influences seem
Away from home,—to call up home's sweet dream.
The breath of flowers,—the stir of leaves,—the breeze,
Whispering soft music through the embowering trees,
Seem still to speak of home with tenderest tone,
And bid them still that pure dominion own.
On!—Empire-framers!—do and dare,—
Home-prayers shall bless you here—and there!
4
A thousand generations hence shall ownYour power—your influence,—felt from zone to zone;
A thousand generations hence shall bless,
Shall praise you for their homes,—their happiness!
Yours is a kingly mission, brave and high,—
On!—in the name of Truth and Liberty!
'Tis a right royal progress!—round ye wait
The guardian powers that watch and bless a state.
Long ages needs your task?—away!—
Enough is Freedom and a Day!
5
Treasures ye seek, but treasures, too, ye take,To those fair shores, which ye shall glorious make;
Treasures that globes of gold could never buy,—
The wealth of Thought, and Heart, and Memory!
Generous affections, quenchless zeal and skill,
To mould, and rule, and conquer, at your will!—
On to your task!—with mind resolved, and soul
On fire to seize the prize,—to reach the goal.
Wide be your Flag of Stars unfurled,
Ye workmen, that shall build—a world!—
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6
Wide be your Banner of the Stars unfurled,And on, ye workmen,—that shall build a world!—
A hoat of nations, wreathed with power and pride,
Have rushed to glory, flourished, changed, and died.
And History bares them to your gaze,—behold!
High towers her Pyramid of Nations old.
Plant the sublime foundations of your own,
On those chief heights of elder lands undone.
Begin with all they had of best,
And Heaven inspire ye with the rest.
7
The noblest heights that others have attained,(What time o'er earth with sovereign sway they reigned,)
Shall be the lowliest step,—the humblest base,
Of your bright state, in eagle pride of place.
There shall be felt through all its movements free,
The heavings of Eternity's great sea.
No dull stagnation e'er shall check its powers,—
Like rounds of the angels' ladder, all its hours,
Shall higher lead, and higher still,
Till Time his measured march fulfil.
| On the approaching close of The Great Exhibition | |