Poems (Denver)/The United States

by Mary Caroline Denver

THE UNITED STATES.

Mine own dear land! I prize thee beyond measure,
And fold thee in my heart, the richest treasure,
  The world could offer to my earnest prayer;
It were the greatest evil could befall me,
If from thy shores some luckless fate should call me,
  My own dear laud most fair!

Though other skies may shine with greater splendor,
And other lands may fairer seasons tender,
  Yet lightning gleams amid the darkest gloom;
The brightest flames oft cover worthless ashes,
The fairest monument in glory flashes,
  Above the deepest tomb!

Thou land of rolling floods and lofty mountains,
Of dark green forests and pellucid fountains,
  Sounding like silver music o'er the sea—
Out from their prison-bounds in gladness springing,
Their tuneful voices with clear laughter ringing,
  To know that they are free!

Thou art mine own! deep thoughts nor straining vision.
Could make thee fairer—thou, mine own Elysian;
  A mighty gem set in the western world!
And though thy skies may shine with colder lustre.
The brightest constellations round thee cluster,
  Where'er thy flag's unfurled!

Thou land of stars, of beauty, and of wonder—
Oh! may thy links be never rent asunder;
  May the lost Pleiad's fate be none of thine—
It cannot be, while heaven shineth o'er thee,
And one bright planet leads the way before thee,
  And whispers, "Thou art mine!"

Fair Freedom's voice! Thou, land of swelling waters,
And all thy starry train are her fair daughters—
  Sisters alike in beauty and in fame!
And though the elder be more famed in story,
The younger, too, wears a like wreath of glory,
  Blazoned with Freedom's name!

For all are hers, and she is whispering ever
To each fair child, "Thou art mine own forever,
  The choicest jewel in my diadem;
Thy names I write in the blue vault of heaven—
Nor shall the orbs that gem the brow of even
  Excel in splendor them.

"Thy sons are mine! in hours of doubt and danger,
Thou gavest thy noblest ones to the lone stranger,
  That spread her wild free wings beyond the sea;
And o'er the blue expanse of ocean springing,
Waved her proud flag amid glad voices ringing
  With shouts of 'Liberty!'

"My country! thou art hers, she thine, forever;
May the tongue speak, and may the heart beat never,
  That would undo the ties that bind thee one;
She shall be thine—heaven hath received the token—
And thou art hers—those vows can ne'er be broken,
  While lips breathe 'Washington!'"