Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/168

 God of the sea and land,

We trace Thy mighty hand;

We own Thy power.

Here set Thy rightful throne;

Make the new world Thine own;

Rule its expause, alone,

Forevermore.

WAS planted while the wintry winds

Athwart the earth were sweeping,

And deep beneath the snowy crust"

The summer flowers lay sleeping.

Take," said the sower to the sod, "The seed I love and cherish;

Though bleak December, I must trust

The grain survive or perish!"

Stern winter round the struggling plant.

Sent down, in furious rattle,

Its rain and sleet, its hail and snow,

Like shot and shell in battle.

Sharp was the air, and rough the soil,

The tender rootlets grew in;

And half sent up a verdant sprout,

And half was but a ruin.

Above the growing plant they stretched

A blue and crimson awning,

Fair as the brilliant arch on high,

That canopies the dawning,