Poems (Stephens)/World's fair greeting

4499625Poems — World's fair greetingEliza Jane Stephens

WORLD'S FAIR GREETING.
Hail lovers of progress, hero's greeting to day,
And thoroughly earnest of sympathy too,
While reverence due to the old we accord,
Our hopes of the future are all in the new.

Hail masters of thought, through whose efforts sublime,
The grandest of triumphs have oft been achieved,
Your record is here writ in letters of love,
By thousands you've bettered, and thousands relieved.

Hail toilers and workers in each worthy sphere,
You stand where the greatest of living have stood,
Your lives so unselfish, one great meed of praise,
To him that is giver of all that is good.

So come all ye people in friendship allied,
Come join with us, celebrate our natal day,
Bring offerings to each the best of its kind,
And here on this altar of Thanksgiving lay.