Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/169

 Relieved with silver stars the blue,

With white, the crimson edging,

The sacred soil with wavy lines,

Like ocean surges, hedging.

But round the plant, while burning skies

With heat scorched all the garden,

The awning wet with tears like dew,

Stretched by the faithful warden,

Sheltered the flower with stamens dark,

Till, morning's redness breaking,

The foe that watched the flower with hate,

Slept, and knew no awaking,

And in the fragrant, sunlit air,

Around the nations breathing,

First in the circle of delights

The world's fair Eden wreathing,

Smiles the bright blossom, sweeter far

Than flowers of Eastern story,

Watered with tears and blood, and reared

To be a people's glory.

The seed was sown when pilgrim feet

On Plymouth Rock descended;

And watered, when the sires and sons

Their tears and labors blended;

And scorched by drought when conflict drove

Its plough of desolation;

And waved in glory, when, like flowers,

Bloomed here, a new-born nation.