Repoet of Board of General Managers. 137 



II. 



From far we've watched thee gather strength and power, 



With genii growth made mighty hour by hour. 



We saw thee flame-swept and from ashes rise 



While vet thy smoke pall hovered in the skies. 



Indomitable, born to conquer Fate 



And tread thy bold path eager and elate, 



The cornland pouring treasure at thy feet 



And all the wheatland heaping thee with wheat, 



Thine iron highways silvering the meads. 



The rolling thunder of thine iron steeds ; 



The far snow mountains sending thee their gold, 



Thy waters rich with cargoes manifold ; 



Thy pulses quickened with the wind that sweeps 



O'er flow'ring prairies and foam blossomed deeps, 



The young blood making crimson on thy cheek ! 



Welcome from thee may well the mighty seek ! 



Welcome to-day Manhattan claims from thee, 



By sister-longing as of lake for sea ! 



III. 



We lay at thy feet, oh, sister sweet, 



A wreath of laurel green. 

 Oh, sister strong, it is brought with song 



And joy to our Prairie Queen. 



In our ]oy there rings the note that brings 



The ocean surf to shore ; 

 In our song there swells the joy that tells 



Of ships the wind before. 



Thy corn-plume waves where redskin braves 



Shook dancing plumes abreeze ; 

 Our trumpet hails where the foreign sails 



Once lorded shores and seas. 



From the salt, green verge of our ocean surge 



We sweep in a torrent blithe 

 Through corn-seas deep to plant and keep 



The trident by the scythe. 



From the wind-swept home of wave and foam, 

 Where sea-won empire stands, 

 18 



