University of Virginia Library

THE EMIGRANTS.

They went unto the Strangers' Land—
A thoughtful, but aspiring band;
They left their own old homes afar,
And trusted to a tempting Star,
That bade them cross the rolling main,
Ne'er, ne'er to view those homes again.
They went into the Strangers' Land—
A thoughtful, but aspiring band,
That their young children might be blest
With stores of plenty, and with rest;
And that their children's children too
Might thankful, for long years, renew
Their hymns of praise and fervent prayers—
Not ground to Earth with haggard cares.
They went unto the Strangers' Land—
A thoughtful, and a trustful band,
And yet when first they went—and yet
Their brows were wan—their eyes were wet;
They left their village homesteads dear
With many a groan and many a tear;
Although those village homesteads then—
Those calm retreats in wood and glen,
Were darkened o'er by gloomy shade
Of poverty—upon them laid!
In quiet golden Sabbath eves,
When soft winds kissed the fluttered leaves,
And rosy clouds, like conscious things,
Sailed soft and slow on their flushed wings,
And tender dews to Earth fell soft,
Blessings of fertile wealth to waft.
How oft with their dear children near—
Too young to share the grief—the fear—
Their green old Sabbath tree, beheld
These sitting round, with spirit quelled,
And heart that struggled with its lot,
And poisoned that once happy spot!
And so they sought the Strangers' Land—
A sorrowing, yet a trustful band;
Sorrowing, indeed, to leave behind
The Scenes that first impressed the Mind
With feelings sacred, deep, and pure,
E'en such as long and last endure!
Scenes where first they raptured saw,
With kindling faith and reverent awe,
In Nature—Nature's God revealed,
Who formed the lilies of the field,
The light of the opening firmament,
And Man—to whom all, all was lent;
But hopeful, and with zeal inspired—
Upholden by a strength untired,
Through blessed Religion's solemn aid—
That still forbade to be afraid—
They sought the Strangers' distant Land—
A thoughtful, and a trustful band;
They knew, (though features strange it wear!—)
They still should find their Father there!