Page:Florence Earle Coates Mine and Thine 1904 039.jpg



Rh Unchanged, though full of change her days have been,

Since builded here, ere Washington was born,

She seemed the home of exiled hearts forlorn—

The open portal to hope's fair demesne.

Close as the ivy that adorns her walls,

So grateful thoughts have twined themselves and clung

About this lowly sanctuary, sprung

From that necessity which ever calls

The soul of man to seek for something higher,—

Anhungered for a more celestial bread

Than that wherewith his earthly life is fed,—

And faith was kindled here, and patriot fire!