Poems (Botta)/Huntington's Picture of Washington Crossing the Alleghany
WASHINGTON.
ON HUNTINGTON’S PICTURE OF WASHINGTON CROSSING THE ALLEGHANY IN EARLY LIFE.
More proudly on thy winding course, Dark Alleghany! flow;The noblest burden thou couldst bear Is on thy waters now.
But calm be every turbid wave, And hushed be wind and storm:There lies a Nation’s destiny Within that gallant form.
A spirit that shall stem a tide More deep and dark than thine;That on a night of War shall bid The star of Victory shine.
A spirit that through coming time Shall bear a hallowed name;The glory of old conquerors Shall pale before his fame.
And young Ambition on his course Shall turn his eagle eye;And men invoke his sainted shade In threat’ning anarchy.
No baleful meteor shall he be, To dazzle from afar;But in the firmament of Fame A fixed, a polar star!