Page:Pocahontas, and Other Poems.djvu/52

 36 CONNECTICUT RIVER.

From germs like these have mighty statesmen sprung; Of prudent counsel, and persuasive tongue ; Unblenching souls, who ruled the willing throng, Their well-braced nerves by early labour strong ; Inventive minds, a nation's wealth that wrought, And white-haired sages, sold to studious thought ; Chiefs, whose bold step the field of battle trod, And holy men, who fed the flock of God.

Here, 'mid the graves by time so sacred made, The poor lost Indian slumbers in the shade ; He, whose canoe with arrowy swiftness clave, In ancient days, yon pure, cerulean wave ; Son of that Spirit, whom in storms he traced, Through darkness followed, and in death embraced : He sleeps an outlaw, 'mid his forfeit land, And grasps the arrow in his mouldered hand.

Here, too, our patriot sires with honour rest, In Freedom's cause who bared the valiant breast ; Sprang from their half-drawn furrow, as the cry Of threatened liberty went thrilling by, Looked to their God and reared, in bulwark round, Breasts free from guile, and hands with toil embrowned, And bade a monarch's thousand banners yield Firm at the plough, and glorious in the field : Lo ! here they rest who every danger braved, Unmarked, untrophied, 'mid the soil they saved.

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