Pause here, O muse! that Fancy's eye May trace the footprints still, Of men that, centuries gone by, With prayer ordained this hill; As lifts the misty veil of years, Such visions here arise, As when the glorious past appears Before enchanted eyes. I see, from 'midst the faithful few, Whose deeds yet live sublime -- Whose guileless spirits, brave as true, Are models "for all time," A group upon this height convened -- In solemn prayer they stand -- Men, on whose sturdy wisdom leaned The settlers of the land. In mutual love the line they trace That will their homes divide, And ever mark the chosen place That prayer hath sanctified; And here it stands -- a temple old, Which crumbling Time still braves; Though ages have their cycles rolled Above those patriots' graves. As Christ transfigured on the height, The tree beheld with awe, And near, His radiant form, in white, The ancient prophets saw; So, on this summit I behold With beatific sight, Once more our praying sires of old, As spirits clothed in light. A halo crowns the sacred hill, And thence glad voices raise A song that doth the concave fill -- Their prayers are turned to praise! Art may not for these saints of old The marble urn invent; Yet here the Future shall behold Their heaven-built monument. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW MY HEART SINKS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE CHINESE LAUNDRYMAN by KAREN SWENSON THE INQUEST by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES MOTHER NATURE by EMILY DICKINSON THE VALSE by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR GENTLEMEN-RANKERS by RUDYARD KIPLING NOVEMBER BLUE by ALICE MEYNELL |