 | Freedom's Offering, |  |
Progress
Old earth progresses as she rollsThough nations retrogade,
From burning tropics to the poles,
Through sunshine and through shade.
Though nations rise, expand and fall,
And human hopes near crush;
Yet man sees brighter skies through all—
Moves onward with a rush.
Though Egypt, Carthage, Greece and Rome,
Lie crumbled in the dust,
Deep down in the sepulchral home,
Where others surely must;
Yet commerce, letters, science, arts,
The products of the field,
From year to year perform their parts,
And smiles of comfort yield.
What tho' the panderer of to-day,
To passons low and vile,
Corrupt, and profligate, may sway,
His sceptre, yet awhile;
Yet men with hearts both true and bold,
With minds both strong and clear,
Unawed by power, unbought by gold,
The bark of progress steer.
| Freedom's Offering, | |