SABRE and cross on this historic crown Began the conquest of our Western sward, Advancing, while they builded fort and town, The Kingdom of the Lord. The whale calved, then, in San Diego Bay, And in the kelp beds off the Loman shore, The otter bred. Tales of that deedful day Leap to men's lips no more; But yonder pair, the Parent Palms, oft tell Two things, as of them all their dreams were made: How first rang out the branch-swung Mission bell, How Padre Serra prayed. The while they speak, the old winds softer blow Past palsied Old Town, drowsing in the sun, Breathing some pertinent burden,—"Long ago The padre's work was done!" Come whence we may, memorial murmurs find The heart of us who on these grasses tread; 'Tis benediction, not the warm sea-wind, The breath on the bowed head, First felt here when pale Serra bowed, his lip Quivering with victory, in the Master's name, As, with the sight of trust, he saw the ship Far in the sun's low flame, And the Lord's gate was safe. This mother hill, Under clear skies, beside the Peaceful Sea, Her voices all, when winds are loud or still, Are sweet with memory. At this dark hour—scarce voice enough to tell Whether it be of silence or of sound— The day is saying once again, "Farewell, God's unforgotten ground!" The trusting toil, the courage of it all! The votive grasses tremble and grow still: The heavens are bending low—'tis evenfall On old Presidio Hill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A RED, RED ROSE by ROBERT BURNS MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 2 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI AT THE SEASIDE by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 16. CUPID HIMSELF STUNG by PHILIP AYRES GYPSY-HEART by KATHARINE LEE BATES |