SELECTIONS FROM "TWO PICTURES: A CENTENNIAL POEM."
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WEDDED to Freedom on her hundredth birthday!
Mature in years, and life aglow with health,
Bright buds of hope are blooming on her pathway
Prophetic promise of her future-wealth!
Her home__a continent of God's creating.
Her dower__primeval Nature's boundless store
Of soil productive, and rich mines, awaiting
To lay their buried treasures at her door.
Her pride__the memory of the noble martyrs,
Whose blood baptized the realm of liberty.
Her strength__a serried host of sons and daughters,
Whose hearts and arms are nerved by loyalty.
Her glory__freedom of the humblest person
Who breathes unfettered from the taint of crime.
Her power__the written law, blest Freedom's charter,
That guards her people's rights in every clime.
Her shrine the sanctuary of myriad hearth-stones
Whence prayer or praise ascends. Her faith__the creed
That God vouchsafes to every soul created,
Such free oblation as it choose or need,
Her wealth__the wisdom of an age supernal.
Her hope__the genius of the good and true.
Her flag__a symbol of the stars eternal,
That deck the vaulted dome of heaven's blue!
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