The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes Part 99

He stands, unconscious of his doom, In manly strength, erect, serene; Around him Summer spreads her bloom; He falls,--what horror clothes the scene!

How swift the sudden flash of woe Where all was bright as childhood's dream!

As if from heaven's ethereal bow Had leaped the lightning's arrowy gleam.

Blot the foul deed from history's page; Let not the all-betraying sun Blush for the day that stains an age When murder's blackest wreath was won.

III.

Pale on his couch the sufferer lies, The weary battle-ground of pain Love tends his pillow; Science tries Her every art, alas! in vain.

The strife endures how long! how long!

Life, death, seem balanced in the scale, While round his bed a viewless throng Await each morrow's changing tale.

In realms the desert ocean parts What myriads watch with tear-filled eyes, His pulse-beats echoing in their hearts, His breathings counted with their sighs!

Slowly the stores of life are spent, Yet hope still battles with despair; Will Heaven not yield when knees are bent?

Answer, O thou that hearest prayer.

But silent is the brazen sky; On sweeps the meteor's threatening train, Unswerving Nature's mute reply, Bound in her adamantine chain.

Not ours the verdict to decide Whom death shall claim or skill shall save; The hero's life though Heaven denied, It gave our land a martyr's grave.

Nor count the teaching vainly sent How human hearts their griefs may share,-- The lesson woman's love has lent, What hope may do, what faith can bear!

Farewell! the leaf-strown earth enfolds Our stay, our pride, our hopes, our fears, And autumn's golden sun beholds A nation bowed, a world in tears.

THE GOLDEN FLOWER

WHEN Advent dawns with lessening days, While earth awaits the angels' hymn; When bare as branching coral sways In whistling winds each leafless limb; When spring is but a spendthrift's dream, And summer's wealth a wasted dower, Nor dews nor suns.h.i.+ne may redeem,-- Then autumn coins his Golden Flower.

Soft was the violet's vernal hue, Fresh was the rose's morning red, Full-orbed the stately dahlia grew,-- All gone! their short-lived splendors shed.

The shadows, lengthening, stretch at noon; The fields are stripped, the groves are dumb; The frost-flowers greet the icy moon,-- Then blooms the bright chrysanthemum.

The stiffening turf is white with snow, Yet still its radiant disks are seen Where soon the hallowed morn will show The wreath and cross of Christmas green; As if in autumn's dying days It heard the heavenly song afar, And opened all its glowing rays, The herald lamp of Bethlehem's star.

Orphan of summer, kindly sent To cheer the fading year's decline, In all that pitying Heaven has lent No fairer pledge of hope than thine.

Yes! June lies hid beneath the snow, And winter's unborn heir shall claim For every seed that sleeps below A spark that kindles into flame.

Thy smile the scowl of winter braves Last of the bright-robed, flowery train, Soft sighing o'er the garden graves, "Farewell! farewell! we meet again!"

So may life's chill November bring Hope's golden flower, the last of all, Before we hear the angels sing Where blossoms never fade and fall!

HAIL, COLUMBIA!

1798

THE FIRST VERSE OF THE SONG

BY JOSEPH HOPKINSON

"HAIL, Columbia! Happy land!

Hail, ye heroes, heaven-born band, Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause, Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause, And when the storm of war was gone Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.

Let independence be our boast, Ever mindful what it cost; Ever grateful for the prize, Let its altar reach the skies.

"Firm--united--let us be, Rallying round our Liberty; As a band of brothers join'd, Peace and safety we shall find."

ADDITIONAL VERSES

WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE CONSt.i.tUTIONAL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT PHILADELPHIA,

1887

LOOK our ransomed sh.o.r.es around, Peace and safety we have found!

Welcome, friends who once were foes!

Welcome, friends who once were foes, To all the conquering years have gained,-- A nation's rights, a race unchained!

Children of the day new-born, Mindful of its glorious morn, Let the pledge our fathers signed Heart to heart forever bind!

While the stars of heaven shall burn, While the ocean tides return, Ever may the circling sun Find the Many still are One!

Graven deep with edge of steel, Crowned with Victory's crimson seal, All the world their names shall read!

All the world their names shall read, Enrolled with his, the Chief that led The hosts whose blood for us was shed.

Pay our sires their children's debt, Love and honor, nor forget Only Union's golden key Guards the Ark of Liberty!

While the stars of heaven shall burn, While the ocean tides return, Ever may the circling sun Find the Many still are One!

Hail, Columbia! strong and free, Throned in hearts from sea to sea Thy march triumphant still pursue!

Thy march triumphant still pursue With peaceful stride from zone to zone, Till Freedom finds the world her own.

Blest in Union's holy ties, Let our grateful song arise, Every voice its tribute lend, All in loving chorus blend!

While the stars in heaven shall burn, While the ocean tides return, Ever shall the circling sun Find the Many still are One!

POEM

FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE FOUNTAIN AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON, PRESENTED BY GEORGE W. CHILDS, OF PHILADELPHIA

WELCOME, thrice welcome is thy silvery gleam, Thou long-imprisoned stream!

Welcome the tinkle of thy crystal beads As plas.h.i.+ng raindrops to the flowery meads, As summer's breath to Avon's whispering reeds!