BUT VALOR SPOKE THE STERN DECREE." 



When virgin forests dark'd the plain, 

 The warring savage battling through ; 

 The arrow sped in deadly rain, 

 The tomahawk no pity knew ; 

 The scalping knife was red with blood; 

 A pale faced race in terror stood 



Beside a weeping river. 



The fruits of peace their commerce 

 sought, 

 The dauntless boatman plied the oar.; 

 The mine its varied treasure brought, 

 The wood its meed of tribute bore ; 

 Throughout the fertile valley, wild, 

 Pomona blushed, and Ceres smiled 



O'er all the pan of river. 



But valor spoke the stern decree 

 That stayed for aye, the barb'rous hand. 

 When reason gained the mastery, 

 Dire superstition fled the land : 

 The Anglo-Saxon's hour arose ; 

 Where strife had ruled came blest repose 



To calm a troubled river. 



Thou, watery highway ! deep and still, 

 The age thy vantage later knew ; 

 Soon man's unbending, eager will 

 From doubt to faith awakened new; 

 Progression shed its blessings o'er, 

 Invention brought its subtle power 



To honor thee, thou river. 



18 



