In Tke Giant Forest Of The Sierras 



By Alexander Blair Tna\v 



Ye first of living things ! 



Ye that were goodly trees 

 When the great King of Kings, 



Building his garden wall, 

 Brought down to Babylon, 



Upon her streams the tall 

 Cedars of Lebanon, 



Ye mighty trees ! 

 Ye which are first, of all 

 Kings of the wildwood ! 



Over the earth and seas 



Here we are come at last, 

 Weary with wanderings, 



Down at your feet to fall ; 

 Here, by your mountain springs, 



Silent and all alone, 

 Through the long ages past. 



High on your granite throne 

 Ye stood in your glory. 



Mighty ye grew in girth, 

 Brother by brother 



Bending your mighty knees 

 Down to the lap of earth. 

 While the great mother 

 Still to your listening ears 



Whispered her story, 

 Tales of our wandering years, 



Tales of our childhood. 



Ye guardians who treasure 

 The gracious gift of rain, 

 And still pour forth again, 



Age after age, and year on year 



In bounteous measure, 

 Your everlasting fountains! 



Up to these mountains, 

 Where evermore you stand. 



Great sentinels 

 O'er all this virgin land. 



Guarding your sacred wells, 

 We come, to drink of these. 



Close by the tree of life 



The tree of knowledge grows; 

 And, through our wars and strife. 



Up from the world's deep woes. 

 Where the dark roots entwine, 

 Is born the Word divine. 



Out of much suffering 



Still those mute altars rise, 



Where perfect love shall bring 

 Life's willing sacrifice. 



And little children bear 



Earth's holy promise there. 



Now, through the least of these. 



Heaven on earth is come ; 

 Now the dark forest trees 



Speak, and no more are dumb. 

 And a child's heart shall be 

 Fruit of this fertile tree. 



Hark, in this burning bush. 

 Brought from the silent grove, 



Out of that holy hush 

 Wakens the word of love. 



Which o'er the world, new-born, 



Hovers, this happy morn. 



