THE DEAD CENTURY
99
Oft to the watcher's eye 'twas lost
Like a flame by fierce winds rudely tossed.
Scarce could Earth
Catch one ray when she hailed his birth!
Like a flame by fierce winds rudely tossed.
Scarce could Earth
Catch one ray when she hailed his birth!
VI.
But erelong
His young voice, like a clarion strong,
Rang through the wilderness far and free,
Prophet and herald of good to be!
Then with a shout the stalwart men
Answered proudly from mount and glen,
Till in the brave, new, western world
Freedom's banners were wide unfurled!
And ere long
The Century's voice, like a clarion strong,
His young voice, like a clarion strong,
Rang through the wilderness far and free,
Prophet and herald of good to be!
Then with a shout the stalwart men
Answered proudly from mount and glen,
Till in the brave, new, western world
Freedom's banners were wide unfurled!
And ere long
The Century's voice, like a clarion strong,
VII.
Cried, "Earth,
Pæans sing for a Nation's birth!
Shout hosannas, ye golden stars,
Peering through yonder cloudy bars!
Burn, O Sun, with a clearer beam!
Shine, O Moon, with a softer gleam!
Join, ye winds, in the choral strain!
Swell, rolling seas, the glad refrain,
While the Earth
Pæans sings for a Nation's birth!"
Pæans sing for a Nation's birth!
Shout hosannas, ye golden stars,
Peering through yonder cloudy bars!
Burn, O Sun, with a clearer beam!
Shine, O Moon, with a softer gleam!
Join, ye winds, in the choral strain!
Swell, rolling seas, the glad refrain,
While the Earth
Pæans sings for a Nation's birth!"
VIII.
Ah! he saw—
This young prophet, with solemn awe—
This young prophet, with solemn awe—
