AN ODE, i 



The following Ode, inscribed to the Worcester North 

 Agricultural Society, to be read on the occasion of their 

 first Annual Fair after the return of peace, was written by 

 Mrs. Charles Mason of Fitchburg : 



Thank God ! the long, long night is past ; 

 Thank God ! the day has dawned at last. 

 The anguish and the strife are o'er , 

 The nation shall learn War no more. 



" Bringnowyour glittering spear and sword, 

 An J make ye of them," saith the Lord, 

 " Plow share and pruning-hook instead ; 

 To tend my green earth, plenty spread. 



" For long enough ye've drenched her breast 

 With life-streams of your Bravest, Best ! 

 And long enough her rills have run 

 Blood-red with gore of sire and son ! 



" See ! with my sweet and gracious rain, 

 I wash her bosom clean again : 

 Go up ! go up ! at my command, 

 B.epair the wastes, possess the land." 



Lord ! we obey : 'Tis Thine to lead ; 

 To follow, Ours, — to sow the seed,-r- 

 And wait with grateful hearts, the while, 

 Until the golden Harvest smile. 



For better is the mellow yield 

 Of Plenty, than the blood-red field j 

 And, in the sight of man and God, 

 Fairer green turf than crimson sod. 



