16 



will thank me for calling your attention to the poem, which to me 

 seems the noblest and loftiest of the present time : 



Not in anger, not in pride, 

 Pure from passion's mixture rude 

 Ever to base earth allied. 

 But with far-heard gratitude, 

 Still with heart and voice renewed, 

 To heroes living and dear martyrs dead, 

 The strain should close that consecrates our brave. 

 Lift the heart and lift the head ! 

 Lofty be its mood and grave. 



Boom, cannon, boom to all the winds and waves ! 



Clash out, glad bells, from every rocking steeple ! 



Banners, advaince with triumph, bend your staves ! 

 And from every mountain jjeak 

 Let beacon-fire to answering beacon speak, 

 Katahdin tell Monadnock, Whiteface he, 



And so leap on in light from sea to sea, 

 Till the glad news be sent 

 Across a kindling continent, 



Making earth feel more firm and air breathe braver : — 



" Be proud ! for she is saved, and all have helped to save her ! 



She that lifts up the manhood of the poor, ^ 



She of the open soul and open door. 



With room about her hearth for all mankind ! 



The helm from her bold front she doth unbind, 



Sends all her handmaid armies back to spin. 



And bids her navies hold their thunders in : 



No challenge sends she to the elder world, 



That looked askance and hated ; a light scorn 



Plays on her mouth, as round her mighty knees 



She calls her children back, and waits the morn 



Of nobler day, enthroned between her subject seas." 



Bow down, dear Land, for thou hast found release ! 

 Thy God, i*i these distempered days, 

 Hath taught thee the sure wisdom of His ways, 



And through thine enemies hath wrought thy peace ! 

 Bow down in prayer and praise ! 



O Beautiful ! my Country ! ours once more ! 



Smoothing thy gold of war dishevelled hair 



O'er such sweet brows as never other wore. 



