122 New Yoek at the "World's Columbian Expositioit 



Far shining through the tropic forests wide- 

 The stream around the Earthly Paradise. 



The Englishman who sought 

 A land-locked passage unto far Cathay 

 In vain, not vainly wrought; 

 Since the great city of the younger world 

 Has risen where the weary sails were furled, 

 And Hudson sings his name in crooning spray. 



The earnest multitudes 

 That hither came from many a distant strand 

 And braved the solitudes, 

 After the hope of brilliant conquest failed. 

 And the fierce fever of adventure paled, 

 Thought little of the future of the land. 



These simply yearned for peace; 

 These for the right to conscience and to creed- 

 And hate's surcease; 

 And all rejoiced to hold some share of soil. 

 Content to spend themselves in honest toil, 

 And wait the garnered harvest from the planted seed. 



With nature face to face, 



From old condition and convention free. 



They grew in power and grace; 



Alert, elate, resourceful, confident, 



By wood and stream unawed they came and went. 



And drew the breath of ancient liberty. 



They had for heritage 

 Old Europe's maxims and experience 

 Of soldier, slave, and sage; 

 But earth was round them in her virgin youth, 

 From her they caught at primal right and truth, 

 And touched the meanings of Omnipotence. 



They never sought in sooth. 

 The Eden visioned in Columbus' mind, 

 Nor Leon's fount of youth, 

 Nor cared if Raleigh's golden city gleam 

 Afar in maze of misty hill and stream, 

 Nor wished to voyage after Hudson's Ind. 

 They toiled; and blest the spade; 



