WHEN, from the mitred churchman's power, Pilgrims sought a land of rest, Here proudly rose, in blissful hour, Freedom's empire in the west. To Him who saved, the God most high, Sweet Piety her altar raised; Invention came, with eagle eye, And Science smiled where savage war-fires blazed. Here, where the tawny Indian roved, Tenant of a flowerless waste, A magic power bright Genius proved, Forests bowed to Art and Taste. Toil swung the sledge with sturdy hand, In chiseled grace fair domes arose; Improvement moved upon the land, And Freedom's Press saved all from Freedom's foes. Mechanic skill! the tar by thee Stems the wave, and mocks the gale; By thee the yeoman, blithe and free, Plenty reaps from every vale. Earth vainly hides her caverned ores; To thee the treasured hoard is given; And elements obey thy powers, And Science grasps the quivering flash of heaven. Nor yet alone in peaceful toil Genius here shall be renowned; Should bold invasion tread the soil, Art's firm sons shall rally round. Great Archimedes on the foe Drew burning vengeance from the sun; And they, at Franklin's name who glow, Shall rouse at thine, immortal Washington! O, favored land! the exile's rest, Charity's long-hallowed seat; By science, worth, and valor blest, All that's good in thee shall meet. "BE JUST, AND FEAR NOT" earth combined; The scale and blade, the test and doom, Thy sons shall bear to all mankind, And clustering glories round their names shall bloom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SIXTEEN MONTHS by CARL SANDBURG THE SETTLER: AMERICA IN THE MAKING by ALFRED BILLINGS STREET THE COLD WAVE OF 32 B.C. by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE MORAL FABLES: THE WOLF AND THE WETHER by AESOP WATER WOMAN by JOSEPH AUSLANDER |