Poems of home and country Also, Sacred and Miscellaneous Verse |
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 | Poems of home and country |  |
THE FATHERS AND THEIR STRUGGLES.
A TRIBUTE TO COLUMBUS.
Westward, brave seaman, sail,
Pressed on by every gale;
God is thy guide!
Westward, and nothing fear;
Westward, thy pathway steer,
Till some new land appear
Beyond the tide.
Pressed on by every gale;
God is thy guide!
Westward, and nothing fear;
Westward, thy pathway steer,
Till some new land appear
Beyond the tide.
Day and night went and came;
Led by God's pillared flame,
All sails unfurled,
The seaman trod the deck,
Fearless of storm or wreck,
When rose a distant speck,—
Lo! the new world!
Led by God's pillared flame,
All sails unfurled,
The seaman trod the deck,
Fearless of storm or wreck,
When rose a distant speck,—
Lo! the new world!
What found he on these shores?
Fair isles and golden stores,—
Riches unknown;
But, fairer still, to be
A land of liberty,
Reaching from sea to sea,—
Freedom's high throne.
Fair isles and golden stores,—
Riches unknown;
But, fairer still, to be
A land of liberty,
Reaching from sea to sea,—
Freedom's high throne.
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God of the sea and land,
We trace Thy mighty hand;
We own Thy power.
Here set Thy rightful throne;
Make the new world Thine own;
Rule its expanse, alone,
Forevermore.
We trace Thy mighty hand;
We own Thy power.
Here set Thy rightful throne;
Make the new world Thine own;
Rule its expanse, alone,
Forevermore.
October 21, 1892.
AMERICA, THE WESTERN FLOWER.
'T was planted while the wintry winds
Athwart the earth were sweeping,
And deep beneath the snowy crust
The summer flowers lay sleeping.
“Take,” said the sower to the sod,
“The seed I love and cherish;
Though bleak December, I must trust
The grain—survive or perish!”
Athwart the earth were sweeping,
And deep beneath the snowy crust
The summer flowers lay sleeping.
“Take,” said the sower to the sod,
“The seed I love and cherish;
Though bleak December, I must trust
The grain—survive or perish!”
Stern winter round the struggling plant
Sent down, in furious rattle,
Its rain and sleet, its hail and snow,
Like shot and shell in battle.
Sharp was the air, and rough the soil,
The tender rootlets grew in;
And half sent up a verdant sprout,
And half was but a ruin.
Sent down, in furious rattle,
Its rain and sleet, its hail and snow,
Like shot and shell in battle.
Sharp was the air, and rough the soil,
The tender rootlets grew in;
And half sent up a verdant sprout,
And half was but a ruin.
Above the growing plant they stretched
A blue and crimson awning,—
Fair as the brilliant arch on high,
That canopies the dawning,
Relieved with silver stars the blue,
With white, the crimson edging,
The sacred soil with wavy lines,
Like ocean surges, hedging.
A blue and crimson awning,—
Fair as the brilliant arch on high,
That canopies the dawning,
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With white, the crimson edging,
The sacred soil with wavy lines,
Like ocean surges, hedging.
But round the plant, while burning skies
With heat scorched all the garden,
The awning wet with tears like dew,
Stretched by the faithful warden,
Sheltered the flower with stamens dark,
Till, morning's redness breaking,
The foe that watched the flower with hate,
Slept, and knew no awaking.
With heat scorched all the garden,
The awning wet with tears like dew,
Stretched by the faithful warden,
Sheltered the flower with stamens dark,
Till, morning's redness breaking,
The foe that watched the flower with hate,
Slept, and knew no awaking.
And in the fragrant, sunlit air,
Around the nations breathing,
First in the circle of delights
The world's fair Eden wreathing,
Smiles the bright blossom, sweeter far
Than flowers of Eastern story,
Watered with tears and blood, and reared
To be a people's glory.
Around the nations breathing,
First in the circle of delights
The world's fair Eden wreathing,
Smiles the bright blossom, sweeter far
Than flowers of Eastern story,
Watered with tears and blood, and reared
To be a people's glory.
The seed was sown when pilgrim feet
On Plymouth Rock descended;
And watered, when the sires and sons
Their tears and labors blended;
And scorched by drought when conflict drove
Its plough of desolation;
And waved in glory, when, like flowers,
Bloomed here, a new-born nation.
On Plymouth Rock descended;
And watered, when the sires and sons
Their tears and labors blended;
And scorched by drought when conflict drove
Its plough of desolation;
And waved in glory, when, like flowers,
Bloomed here, a new-born nation.
132
THE PILGRIM FATHERS.
IN MEMORY OF THEIR LANDING UPON PLYMOUTH ROCK ON THE 21st DAY OF DECEMBER, 1620.
They left old England's cultured homes,
Its broad green fields, its sunny skies,
Its tall cathedral-spires and domes,
As the first pair left Paradise.
Its broad green fields, its sunny skies,
Its tall cathedral-spires and domes,
As the first pair left Paradise.
They found a forest, wild and bleak,
Cold, threatening skies and frozen sod,—
Brave noble souls, resolved to seek
Deliverance from the oppressor's rod.
Cold, threatening skies and frozen sod,—
Brave noble souls, resolved to seek
Deliverance from the oppressor's rod.
They left the dear ancestral shrines,
The altars where their fathers bowed,
Graves where their hallowed dust reclines,
The fields they reaped, the hills they ploughed.
The altars where their fathers bowed,
Graves where their hallowed dust reclines,
The fields they reaped, the hills they ploughed.
They found a stormy, cheerless coast,
Swept by fierce winds and savage men;
Nature's rude growth, the heathen's boast;
The rockbound shores, the wild beast's den.
Swept by fierce winds and savage men;
Nature's rude growth, the heathen's boast;
The rockbound shores, the wild beast's den.
Yet came they fearless, bold, and brave,—
Not theirs to bow to men the knee,
Unfettered as the ocean wave,—
God's freemen, whom the truth made free.
Not theirs to bow to men the knee,
Unfettered as the ocean wave,—
God's freemen, whom the truth made free.
The wintry forests' dim defiles
Woke, their triumphant psalms to hear,
And rocks, and hills, and distant isles
Echoed their pilgrim-hymns of cheer.
Woke, their triumphant psalms to hear,
And rocks, and hills, and distant isles
Echoed their pilgrim-hymns of cheer.
133
O wise to plan, O justly famed!
O strong in patient faith to wait!
These are the noble sires who framed
And built New England's early state.
O strong in patient faith to wait!
These are the noble sires who framed
And built New England's early state.
TEA-DRINKING.
AN AMERICAN BALLAD.
“Good-morning, Ma'am, I come to bring
From mother, Mrs. B.,
Her compliments, and ask you down,
To take a cup of tea.
From mother, Mrs. B.,
Her compliments, and ask you down,
To take a cup of tea.
“Do come!” aside “('T is such a fuss
To have one's friends to tea,
Ma wants to have it over with.)
Come early,—say, by three.”
To have one's friends to tea,
Ma wants to have it over with.)
Come early,—say, by three.”
Now Mrs. B. was bound to have
A little talk, you know;
And Mrs. A. was bound to tell
Her thoughts,—just so and so.
A little talk, you know;
And Mrs. A. was bound to tell
Her thoughts,—just so and so.
A tax, dear Mrs. B. resolved
O'er Mrs. A. to come,—
“Bring threepence with you, Mrs. A.”
“Yes, but I won't be dumb.”
O'er Mrs. A. to come,—
“Bring threepence with you, Mrs. A.”
“Yes, but I won't be dumb.”
“You shall!” “I won't,” said Mrs. A.,
“I'll speak my mind, I will!”
“You sha'n't,” said Mrs. B., “you sha'n't;
But bring the pennies still.”
“I'll speak my mind, I will!”
“You sha'n't,” said Mrs. B., “you sha'n't;
But bring the pennies still.”
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And so the gentle ladies talked,
Full of rare pluck and ire,
Till words, condensed, were changed to deeds,
And tea distilled in fire.
Full of rare pluck and ire,
Till words, condensed, were changed to deeds,
And tea distilled in fire.
“You 're a side-issue, Mrs. A.”
“You 're ditto, Mrs B.”
So Father Adam used to say,
Petting with Mother Eve.
“You 're ditto, Mrs B.”
So Father Adam used to say,
Petting with Mother Eve.
“Whether a side-issue or not,
I think, at last, you'll see
There 's something brewing, red as blood,
Coiled in a cup of tea.”
I think, at last, you'll see
There 's something brewing, red as blood,
Coiled in a cup of tea.”
Then Mrs. A. a feast announced,
Long since, we well remember,
In Boston, near a famous wharf,
One still night in December.
Long since, we well remember,
In Boston, near a famous wharf,
One still night in December.
She hired some red-skinned caterers,
Who lived beside the sea,
To heat the water, and prepare
A real strong cup of tea.
Who lived beside the sea,
To heat the water, and prepare
A real strong cup of tea.
Now Mrs. B. stood near, and leaned
On Mr. Gage's arm,—
“I hope this party may not lead,”
She said, “to any harm.”
On Mr. Gage's arm,—
“I hope this party may not lead,”
She said, “to any harm.”
“Why, Mrs. A.,” at length, she said,
“Tea only, and no cakes!”
“I have some cake in Concord, Ma'am,
I 've stored it for your sakes.”
“Tea only, and no cakes!”
“I have some cake in Concord, Ma'am,
I 've stored it for your sakes.”
135
“Then bring it on!” “I won't.” “You shall!”
“Go take it, if you can!
Lord Percy, at his peril, tries,
Or any other man.”
“Go take it, if you can!
Lord Percy, at his peril, tries,
Or any other man.”
An old conundrum asks, I think,
Pray tell me, do you see,—
“Why is it, sir, that living men
Sometimes are just like tea?”
Pray tell me, do you see,—
“Why is it, sir, that living men
Sometimes are just like tea?”
“I'm poor at guessing; ask, I pray,
Old England's honored daughter,—”
“Because their worth is best revealed
When plunged into hot water.”
Old England's honored daughter,—”
“Because their worth is best revealed
When plunged into hot water.”
And Mrs. B., a noble dame,
At last grew proud to own
Dear Mrs. A.,—who stoutly spurned
To bow to Britain's throne.
At last grew proud to own
Dear Mrs. A.,—who stoutly spurned
To bow to Britain's throne.
And Mrs. B. sent up her boys,
Who soon marched down again;
They hurried back to Boston town,
Wiser, but fewer men.
Who soon marched down again;
They hurried back to Boston town,
Wiser, but fewer men.
A little quarrel then arose,
Dear Mrs. A. and B.—
Such pulling caps! such burning words!
“You shall!” “I won't!” “You'll see!”
Dear Mrs. A. and B.—
Such pulling caps! such burning words!
“You shall!” “I won't!” “You'll see!”
'T was fourth July, when Mrs. A.
Her pretty foot set down,
And said, “Now mark me, Mrs. B.,
I'll brook nor kings, nor crown.”
Her pretty foot set down,
And said, “Now mark me, Mrs. B.,
I'll brook nor kings, nor crown.”
136
The bands were cut. A. shouted, “Free!”
B. said, “Amen!” but missed her;
Compelled to yield, she nobly cried,
“Dear A., thou art my sister!”
B. said, “Amen!” but missed her;
Compelled to yield, she nobly cried,
“Dear A., thou art my sister!”
With tears of love and clasping hands,
One blue arch bending o'er us,
One bright, broad sea, that binds the land
Behind, to land before us.
One blue arch bending o'er us,
One bright, broad sea, that binds the land
Behind, to land before us.
Alike in faith, alike in speech,
Nursed on one parent knee,
We 're hasting o'er this watery track,
To drink that cup of tea.
Nursed on one parent knee,
We 're hasting o'er this watery track,
To drink that cup of tea.
And while the fragrant fumes ascend,
Like mists above the sea,
Each land, to the same tune shall sing,
“My country, 't is of thee.”
Like mists above the sea,
Each land, to the same tune shall sing,
“My country, 't is of thee.”
Britain the music shall provide,
The mother land which lures us;
And we will bring the hearty words,—
One soul, one ringing chorus.
The mother land which lures us;
And we will bring the hearty words,—
One soul, one ringing chorus.
Steamer “Parthia” on the Atlantic Ocean,
July 4, 1875.
137
PAUL REVERE'S RIDE.
Hang out the lantern! Let oppression quail!
The pen of history shall record the tale;
A feeble taper, flashing o'er the sea,
But the first signal light of liberty.
The pen of history shall record the tale;
A feeble taper, flashing o'er the sea,
But the first signal light of liberty.
Hang out the lantern! Veiled by friendly night,
A watchful horseman waits, to catch the light,
Then warn the sleeping people, far and near;
Who is the patriot rider? Paul Revere.
A watchful horseman waits, to catch the light,
Then warn the sleeping people, far and near;
Who is the patriot rider? Paul Revere.
Ride on! Ride on! O valiant horseman! Wake
Fathers and sons a stern defence to make,
Armed with brave hands and hearts, resolved to be,
Through Heaven's behest, a nation of the free.
Fathers and sons a stern defence to make,
Armed with brave hands and hearts, resolved to be,
Through Heaven's behest, a nation of the free.
The foemen started bravely on their way,
But found the freemen ready for the fray,
Waiting their coming,—men who knew no fear,
Prepared for battle!—roused by Paul Revere.
But found the freemen ready for the fray,
Waiting their coming,—men who knew no fear,
Prepared for battle!—roused by Paul Revere.
High thoughts, strong souls, firm wills then showed their power;
Then Independence struck the nation's hour.
The patriots won the day! and Percy's men,
Conquered and broken, sought their camps again.
Then Independence struck the nation's hour.
The patriots won the day! and Percy's men,
Conquered and broken, sought their camps again.
The feeble lantern in the belfry hung,
With flickering rays o'er the still water's flung,—
A central sun, that nevermore declines,—
Still round the world, a radiant signal, shines.
With flickering rays o'er the still water's flung,—
A central sun, that nevermore declines,—
Still round the world, a radiant signal, shines.
138
Strong men, great hearts, the stirring times required,
With matchless zeal and fervent purpose fired,
But none more grandly served the cause so dear,
Than the brave patriot rider, Paul Revere.
With matchless zeal and fervent purpose fired,
But none more grandly served the cause so dear,
Than the brave patriot rider, Paul Revere.
Old North Church, Boston,
April 18, 1894.
PATRIOT'S DAY.
APRIL 19, 1775.
Praise to the brave and true!
Men prompt to dare and do,—
To do, or die;
Blazoned on history's page,
Men for their stormy age,
Fearless the fight to wage,
Scorning to fly.
Men prompt to dare and do,—
To do, or die;
Blazoned on history's page,
Men for their stormy age,
Fearless the fight to wage,
Scorning to fly.
They, with prophetic eye,
Saw, through the lurid sky,
The goal they sought,—
A nation of the free,
A land of liberty,
Stretching from sea to sea,—
O glorious thought!
Saw, through the lurid sky,
The goal they sought,—
A nation of the free,
A land of liberty,
Stretching from sea to sea,—
O glorious thought!
They hailed the coming state,
Patient to toil and wait,
Suffered and bled;
Death strode o'er hill and plain;
With hunger, cold, and pain;
Hope rose, to sink again,
Till years had fled.
Patient to toil and wait,
Suffered and bled;
139
With hunger, cold, and pain;
Hope rose, to sink again,
Till years had fled.
But forward, onward still,
They of the iron will
Pressed, undismayed.
A nation's love they claim;
Born to immortal fame,
What lustre lights each name,
Never to fade!
They of the iron will
Pressed, undismayed.
A nation's love they claim;
Born to immortal fame,
What lustre lights each name,
Never to fade!
Hail, patriots! whose brave hands
Over these fair, free lands
Their flag unfurled;
Men, by all times admired,
To noble deeds inspired,
By whom “the shot” was fired,
“Heard round the world.”
Over these fair, free lands
Their flag unfurled;
Men, by all times admired,
To noble deeds inspired,
By whom “the shot” was fired,
“Heard round the world.”
O sons of noble sires,
Who, amid war's dread fires,
To triumph rode!
Proud of the deeds they wrought,
With countless blessings fraught,
Cherish the land they bought,—
The gift of God.
Who, amid war's dread fires,
To triumph rode!
Proud of the deeds they wrought,
With countless blessings fraught,
Cherish the land they bought,—
The gift of God.
April 19, 1894.
140
INDEPENDENCE DAY, JULY 4, 1776.
Auspicious morning, hail!
Voices from hill and vale
Thy welcome sing:
Joy on thy dawning breaks;
Each heart that joy partakes,
While cheerful music wakes,
Its praise to bring.
Voices from hill and vale
Thy welcome sing:
Joy on thy dawning breaks;
Each heart that joy partakes,
While cheerful music wakes,
Its praise to bring.
When on the tyrant's rod
Our patriot fathers trod,
And dared be free;
'T was not in burning zeal,
Firm nerves, and hearts of steel,
Our country's joy to seal,
But, Lord, in Thee.
Our patriot fathers trod,
And dared be free;
'T was not in burning zeal,
Firm nerves, and hearts of steel,
Our country's joy to seal,
But, Lord, in Thee.
Thou, as a shield of power,
In battle's awful hour,
Didst round us stand;
Our hopes were in Thy throne;
Strong in Thy might alone,
By Thee our banners shone,
God of our land!
In battle's awful hour,
Didst round us stand;
Our hopes were in Thy throne;
Strong in Thy might alone,
By Thee our banners shone,
God of our land!
Long o'er our native hills,
Long by our shaded rills,
May Freedom rest!
Long may our shores have peace,
Our flag grace every breeze,
Our ships, the distant seas,
From east to west!
Long by our shaded rills,
May Freedom rest!
Long may our shores have peace,
Our flag grace every breeze,
Our ships, the distant seas,
From east to west!
141
Peace on this day abide,
From morn till even-tide;
Wake, tuneful song;
Melodious accents raise.
Let every heart, with praise,
Bring high and grateful lays,
Rich, full, and strong.
From morn till even-tide;
Wake, tuneful song;
Melodious accents raise.
Let every heart, with praise,
Bring high and grateful lays,
Rich, full, and strong.
Onward the echo floats;
Sublime and swelling notes
On the air sail;
From fearless hearts and free,
The lofty minstrelsy
Rises, O God, to Thee
Hail, Freedom, hail!
Sublime and swelling notes
On the air sail;
From fearless hearts and free,
The lofty minstrelsy
Rises, O God, to Thee
Hail, Freedom, hail!
THE CHILDREN'S INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Hark! Music wakes
Among the mountains,
And thunder breaks
Along the fountains;
Each river bank is gay with flowers,
More bright than rainbows in the showers.
Among the mountains,
And thunder breaks
Along the fountains;
Each river bank is gay with flowers,
More bright than rainbows in the showers.
Chorus.
Come, children, bring a cheerful lay,To welcome Independence Day!
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The banner floats
In beauty shining;
And charming notes,
So sweet combining,
Proclaim 't is Freedom's holy light
That beams on every side so bright!
In beauty shining;
And charming notes,
So sweet combining,
Proclaim 't is Freedom's holy light
That beams on every side so bright!
Chorus.
The temple gates
Ring loud with singing,
While infant mates
Their songs are bringing,
The God of victory to praise,
And swelling notes of triumph raise!
Ring loud with singing,
While infant mates
Their songs are bringing,
The God of victory to praise,
And swelling notes of triumph raise!
Chorus.
We are the young
Of Freedom's nation;
Wake every tongue
In adoration.
Let music float on every breeze;
And whisper praises, all ye trees!
Of Freedom's nation;
Wake every tongue
In adoration.
Let music float on every breeze;
And whisper praises, all ye trees!
Chorus.
This joyful day,
Of glad emotion,
Shall pass away
In sweet devotion
To God who gave our fathers peace,
To joyous friends, and childish bliss.
Of glad emotion,
Shall pass away
In sweet devotion
To God who gave our fathers peace,
To joyous friends, and childish bliss.
Chorus.
143
THE FOURTH OF JULY REMEMBERED.
SCHOOL CELEBRATION, JULY 24, 1832.
How brightly shone heaven's holy light,
Along the path our fathers trod!
They girded them to deeds of might,
Depending on the arm of God.
Along the path our fathers trod!
They girded them to deeds of might,
Depending on the arm of God.
So in the guiding cloud by day,
So 'mid the night, in pillared flame,
Did Israel see the chosen way,
Marked by their God, where'er they came.
So 'mid the night, in pillared flame,
Did Israel see the chosen way,
Marked by their God, where'er they came.
Loosed from a foreign monarch's yoke,
The children of the brave and free,
O God, Thy blessing we invoke,
And yield glad homage, Lord, to Thee.
The children of the brave and free,
O God, Thy blessing we invoke,
And yield glad homage, Lord, to Thee.
Our Father, let our happy land
Still smile beneath Thy guardian care;
Let peace be ours, by Thy command,
And health be wafted on the air.
Still smile beneath Thy guardian care;
Let peace be ours, by Thy command,
And health be wafted on the air.
We bless Thee for the joys we know;
We praise Thee for this happy day;
Still guide us, in the paths we go,
And lead us in Thy own right way.
We praise Thee for this happy day;
Still guide us, in the paths we go,
And lead us in Thy own right way.
144
HYMN FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Land of the freemen and home of the brave!
Soil which our fathers have bought with their blood!
Dear is each mountain, rock, river, and grave,
Fields where their feet on Oppression have trod;
Heroes, whose feet on oppressors have trod,
Green are their laurels and honored each grave;
Blest be the soil they have wet with their blood,
Land of the freemen and home of the brave!
Soil which our fathers have bought with their blood!
Dear is each mountain, rock, river, and grave,
Fields where their feet on Oppression have trod;
Heroes, whose feet on oppressors have trod,
Green are their laurels and honored each grave;
Blest be the soil they have wet with their blood,
Land of the freemen and home of the brave!
Peace o'er this land of the happy and free
Folds her fair pinions in loving repose;
Liberty reigns from the sea to the sea;
Freedom, triumphant, exults o'er her foes;
Freedom, triumphant, exults o'er her foes;
Tidings of hope echo far o'er the sea,
Bidding the nations oppressed to repose,
Sheltered by peace, in this land of the free.
Folds her fair pinions in loving repose;
Liberty reigns from the sea to the sea;
Freedom, triumphant, exults o'er her foes;
Freedom, triumphant, exults o'er her foes;
Tidings of hope echo far o'er the sea,
Bidding the nations oppressed to repose,
Sheltered by peace, in this land of the free.
God, our protector, our strength is in Thee,
Strong to deliver, and mighty to save;
Calm each wild tempest that sweeps o'er the sea,
Calm the fierce passions that swell like the wave;
Soothe the fierce tumult that swells like the wave,
Breathe with the whispers of love o'er the sea.
God, we rely on Thy mercy to save;
God, our protector, our strength is in Thee.
Strong to deliver, and mighty to save;
Calm each wild tempest that sweeps o'er the sea,
Calm the fierce passions that swell like the wave;
Soothe the fierce tumult that swells like the wave,
Breathe with the whispers of love o'er the sea.
God, we rely on Thy mercy to save;
God, our protector, our strength is in Thee.
145
THE FATHERS REMEMBERED.
How pure in zeal, how firm in faith,
Sternly the early patriots stood!
Ready to buy, come life or death,
Their freedom at the price of blood.
Sternly the early patriots stood!
Ready to buy, come life or death,
Their freedom at the price of blood.
They scorned in craven fear to bend;
No tyrant power could make them quail;
“Our rights, as freemen, we defend;
Our cause is God's—it cannot fail.”
No tyrant power could make them quail;
“Our rights, as freemen, we defend;
Our cause is God's—it cannot fail.”
Slender in means, in numbers few,
But high in aim and grand in thought;
Nobly they spoke, brave men and true,
And nobler deeds of valor wrought.
But high in aim and grand in thought;
Nobly they spoke, brave men and true,
And nobler deeds of valor wrought.
A century's march, through peace and blood,
Has left their influence still impressed
On all the hills their footsteps trod,
On fields their presence never blessed.
Has left their influence still impressed
On all the hills their footsteps trod,
On fields their presence never blessed.
Our fathers' God, we own Thy power;
Thy mighty fiat made us free.
Our help in that decisive hour,
Still may we put our trust in Thee.
Thy mighty fiat made us free.
Our help in that decisive hour,
Still may we put our trust in Thee.
Windermere, England, May 30, 1876.
146
ODE IN MEMORY OF FRANKLIN.
Old Time rolls by, but gently breathes
On Franklin's glorious fame,
And all its freshest laurel wreathes
Around his honored name.
Bring summer's bloom his brow to adorn,
Bring spring's most gorgeous flowers;
He, with celestial yearnings born,
Made Nature's secrets ours.
On Franklin's glorious fame,
And all its freshest laurel wreathes
Around his honored name.
Bring summer's bloom his brow to adorn,
Bring spring's most gorgeous flowers;
He, with celestial yearnings born,
Made Nature's secrets ours.
Bid the swift lightning write his name
In blue electric fire,
And roaring thunders loud proclaim
Him whom all lands admire.
Stand, patriot, sage, in lasting bronze,
By grateful art enshrined;
Live in ten thousand gathering sons,—
Thy meed, the polished mind.
In blue electric fire,
And roaring thunders loud proclaim
Him whom all lands admire.
Stand, patriot, sage, in lasting bronze,
By grateful art enshrined;
Live in ten thousand gathering sons,—
Thy meed, the polished mind.
The sparkling gift each year revives
Thy high renown again,
Linked with the history of our lives,—
Thy trophies, living men.
So Time rolls by, but gently breathes
On Franklin's glorious fame,
And all its freshest laurels wreathes
Around his honored name.
Thy high renown again,
Linked with the history of our lives,—
Thy trophies, living men.
So Time rolls by, but gently breathes
On Franklin's glorious fame,
And all its freshest laurels wreathes
Around his honored name.
147
THE BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON.
Honored and loved, the patriot and the sage,
Born for thy own and every coming age,
Thy country's champion, Freedom's chosen son,—
We hail thy birth-day, glorious Washington.
Born for thy own and every coming age,
Thy country's champion, Freedom's chosen son,—
We hail thy birth-day, glorious Washington.
Nurtured in courage, industry, and truth,
Thy noble childhood, and thy generous youth,
Like spring's sweet blossoms on the sturdy tree,—
Gave early promise of the fruit to be;
And well it ripened, as the years rolled on,
And stood in manhood, glorious Washington.
Thy noble childhood, and thy generous youth,
Like spring's sweet blossoms on the sturdy tree,—
Gave early promise of the fruit to be;
And well it ripened, as the years rolled on,
And stood in manhood, glorious Washington.
Dark was the storm that gathered, far and wide,
When rose in threatening might the oppressor's pride,
And men, brave-hearted, stood in battle strong,
Resolved to avenge the right and smite the wrong.
Fierce was the fight, and many a hero fell;
Green are their laurels, and they earned them well.
Nursed in the lap of hardship, sternly taught
To value great ideas and high, free thought,
With noble sacrifice they staked their all,
To stand with Freedom, or with her to fall;
And many a patriot mother gave her son,
But one alone gave glorious Washington.
When rose in threatening might the oppressor's pride,
And men, brave-hearted, stood in battle strong,
Resolved to avenge the right and smite the wrong.
Fierce was the fight, and many a hero fell;
Green are their laurels, and they earned them well.
Nursed in the lap of hardship, sternly taught
To value great ideas and high, free thought,
With noble sacrifice they staked their all,
To stand with Freedom, or with her to fall;
And many a patriot mother gave her son,
But one alone gave glorious Washington.
Keep ye his memory green; preserve his fame;
Live in his spirit; love his honored name;
Teach lisping childhood how the warrior stood,
A tower of strength 'mid scenes of strife and blood.
Let men and mothers to their infants tell,
How Freedom triumphed and Oppression fell,
When he, the chieftain of the brave and free,
Led on our troops to joy and victory.
No son was his to bear his cherished name,—
No son, thank God! to bring his father shame;
But every patriot is a worthy son,
To bear thy name and title, Washington!
Live in his spirit; love his honored name;
Teach lisping childhood how the warrior stood,
A tower of strength 'mid scenes of strife and blood.
148
How Freedom triumphed and Oppression fell,
When he, the chieftain of the brave and free,
Led on our troops to joy and victory.
No son was his to bear his cherished name,—
No son, thank God! to bring his father shame;
But every patriot is a worthy son,
To bear thy name and title, Washington!
They wear their honors well, these sons of ours,
Trained by fierce fight to show sublimer powers;
Taught like the eagle, when the storm beats high,
With stronger wing to cleave the threatening sky,
And reach through raging winds the cliffs above,
Where dwell serenely liberty and love,
Grow strong, through toil, to bear our banners on,
As he once bore them, glorious Washington!
Trained by fierce fight to show sublimer powers;
Taught like the eagle, when the storm beats high,
With stronger wing to cleave the threatening sky,
And reach through raging winds the cliffs above,
Where dwell serenely liberty and love,
Grow strong, through toil, to bear our banners on,
As he once bore them, glorious Washington!
The storms will pass. The flag, in battle torn,
Will wear new honors, by our sons upborne;
Fast anchored on the Right, a glorious rock,
The cause of Freedom shall not feel the shock
That aims its force against the Ship of State.
Weak billows, vain your vengeance, vain your hate!
More patriot mothers have more sons to send;
More noble hearts have treasures still to spend;
More patriot sinews have more strength to give;
More loving hearts have loving lives to live,—
And Freedom shall not lack a faithful son
To track thy steps, O glorious Washington!
Will wear new honors, by our sons upborne;
Fast anchored on the Right, a glorious rock,
The cause of Freedom shall not feel the shock
That aims its force against the Ship of State.
Weak billows, vain your vengeance, vain your hate!
More patriot mothers have more sons to send;
More noble hearts have treasures still to spend;
More patriot sinews have more strength to give;
More loving hearts have loving lives to live,—
And Freedom shall not lack a faithful son
To track thy steps, O glorious Washington!
| Poems of home and country | |