Page:Canada, and other poems by Herbin, John Frederic.djvu/10

 The sun of progress shines ; and day full hl&it. And loud with labor from the east and west. Hangs over you. Across the western sea, Mankind new-lx)rn obeyed its destiny, Wandering westward like a current's trend; In Canada the roadway hath its end. The marching centuries of tribe and race Around the earth, on this find halting-place. Toward either coast the ocean currents glide ; Upon their waves your sailors homeward ride. No mimic ships are yours, the keels are deep ; Your sons are brave when angry waters leap. A man is this whose axe doth clear the ground : And where he smites the forest tumbles round. This is a warrior, the first to bleed, The foremost in the rank of noble deed. At helm, with axe, before the foemen's guns, You live and die your fathers' worthy sons. Proud of your flag, see ! how your praises swing It straight and clear, to nations heralding. ^xt^mUt, WHAT fairer sky and lands than these Promote a subject's weal ? What clime more blessed of liberal earth May other days reveal ? What riper age, what fitter time, To make a nation grow, Can years present to willing men, Or favoring chance bestow ?