Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/229

Rh And thou hast prouder glories too, Than nature ever gave, Peace sheds o er thee, her genial dew, And Freedom s pinions wave, Fair science flings her pearls around, Religion lifts her dome, These, these endear thee, to my heart, My own, loved native home! And " heaven s best gift to man " is thine, God bless thy rosy girls! Like sylvan flowers, they sweetly shine, Their hearts are pure as pearls! And grace and goodness circle them, Where er their footsteps roam, How can I then, whilst loving them, Not love my native home! Land of the South! imperial land! Then here s a health to thee, Long as thy mountain barriers stand, May st thou be blessed and free! May dark dissension s banner ne er Wave o er thy fertile loam, But should it come, there s one will die, To save his native home!

THE MOCKING BIRD

From the vale, what music ringing, Fills the bosom of the night; On the sense, entranced, flinging Spells of witchery and delight!