Page:The college beautiful, and other poems.djvu/49

Swept back the redcoats seaward before it,
Like wind-driven leaves in the wane of the year.
Peace be to each who embellished her story,
Struck with the sabre or prayed on the knee,
Sat in her council or sung of her glory,
All for the love of mine own countrie.

Tell me not now of the blots that bestain her
Beautiful vestments, that sully the white.
If by my tears she were aught the gainer,
Fain would I weep for her day and night ;
If by my blood I could purge her forever
From shame of the Indian, shame of the slave,
Would I shower it forth in as ruddy a river
As ever crusader for Holy Land gave.
Fair is the star, though the mists may dim her;
Mists are fleeting, but stars endure;
Soon, full soon, shall the golden glimmer
Wax to a splendor superb and pure.
Fling to the breezes the star-spangled banner,
Greet it with cheers to the three times three.
Smiles chase tears in the good old manner,
All for the love of mine own countrie.

Land of Promise ! By one hearth kneeling,
Long for thy peace may thy sons agree!