THINE is the heritage of ancient birth, Age upon age hath dawned since first thy race Was cradled in the empurpled East: the place Whence seer and king have sprung—the great of earth. And thine the heritage of higher worth; The large-souled Charity, whose pitying grace Hath left nor land nor sea without its trace, And raised a plenteous harvest 'midst the dearth, But thine a greater heritage than these; The heaven-born Faith, thy sires have taught the world Which lifts thine eyes to God without surcease, And bid thee guard His banner, wide unfurled. That deathless Faith make thou thy steadfast star, Thy heart shall know a peace no pain can mar. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LIVING STARS by GEORGE SANTAYANA HENRY MOORE'S STATUE AT LINCOLN CENTER by KAREN SWENSON PARADISE LOST: BOOK 1 by JOHN MILTON SONG OF THE SILENT LAND by JOHANN GAUDENZ VON SALIS-SEEWIS BETH GELERT; OR, THE GRAVE OF THE GREYHOUND by WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCER |