 | Poems |  |
117
THE SOUTHERN CROSS.
Whene'er those southern seas I sail,
I find my eyes instinctive turning
Where, pure and marvelously pale,
Four sacred stars are brightly burning.
I find my eyes instinctive turning
Where, pure and marvelously pale,
Four sacred stars are brightly burning.
A star is set above the thorns;
Two mark the bleeding palms extended;
And one the wounded feet adorns—
In four the potent cross is blended.
Two mark the bleeding palms extended;
And one the wounded feet adorns—
In four the potent cross is blended.
One only hand had power to place
The symbol there, and that immortal;
Those fair, celestial fires may grace
And beautify the heavenly portal.
The symbol there, and that immortal;
Those fair, celestial fires may grace
And beautify the heavenly portal.
Whatever danger I may meet
Upon the wild, disastrous ocean,
Still turn my trusting eyes to greet
That flaming cross with true devotion.
Upon the wild, disastrous ocean,
Still turn my trusting eyes to greet
That flaming cross with true devotion.
118
Nor cease, my willing heart, to give
Thy prayers, and every just endeavor;
For only by the cross I live,
And by the cross I live forever.
Thy prayers, and every just endeavor;
For only by the cross I live,
And by the cross I live forever.
| Poems | |