234 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



And then a deluge of wrath it came, 



And the nations shook with dread; 

 And it swept the earth till its fields were flame, 



And piled with the mingled dead. 

 Kings were rolled in the wasteful flood 



With the low and crouching slave; 

 And together lay, in a shroud of blood, 



The coward and the brave. 



And where was then thy fearless flight? 



" O'er the dark, mysterious sea, 

 To the lands that caught the setting light, 



The cradle of Liberty. 

 There, on the silent and lonely shore, 



For ages I watched alone, 

 And the world in its darkness asked no more 



Where the glorious bird had flown. 



" But then came a bold and hardy few, 



And they breasted the unknown wave; 

 I caught afar the wandering crew, 



And I knew they were high and brave. 

 I wheeled around the welcome bark, 



As it sought the desolate shore, 

 And up to heaven, like a joyous lark, 



My quivering pinions bore. 



" And now that bold and hardy few 



Are a nation wide and strong; 

 And danger and doubt I have led them through, 



And they worship me in song; 



