Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/243

H. VAN D. And empire unto Freedom gave

From cloudland height to tropic wave.

Poured through the gateways of the North

Thy mighty rivers join their tide,

And, on the wings of morn sent forth,

Their mists the far-off peaks divide.

By Thee unsealed,

The mountains yield

Ores that the wealth of Ophir shame,

And gems enwrought of seven-hued flame.

Lo, through what years the soil hath lain

At thine own time to give increase—

The greater and the lesser grain,

The ripening boll, the myriad fleece!

Thy creatures graze

Appointed ways;

League after league across the land

The ceaseless herds obey thy hand.

Thou, whose high archways shine most clear

Above the plenteous Western plain,

Thine ancient tribes from round the sphere

To breathe its quickening air are fain:

And smiles the sun

To see made one

Their brood throughout Earth's greenest space,

Land of the new and lordlier race!

H. VAN D.

(A TOAST)

to the poet, scholar, wit, divine,

In whom sweet Nature would all gifts combine 213