God tramps on through the scourging rains; God vaults into the saddle, Rides alone past the dusty plains; God's back bends to the paddle— Cedar branches and sunlight through, And on, still on, speeds the lone canoe. God rides out on his ancient quest, Healing, saving, commanding: Here in the savage, unknown west Settlement, cabin, landing, Well they know the steady beat In the stillness of God's horse's feet. He leads to grace the pioneers Who walk each hour with danger! Knows these grim men for his peers Gives his bread to the stranger: Doing all that a neighbor can, God rides still, a weary man. God rides out! and founds three States, Their scourger, their defender, Guides their loves and tones their hates, Leads them into splendor. God—in the circuit rider's breast— Once more, God built a world—Our West. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CAGED GOLDFINCH by THOMAS HARDY DESCRIPTION OF SPRING by HENRY HOWARD THE SERGEANT'S WEDDIN' by RUDYARD KIPLING EPITAPH ON HIMSELF by MATTHEW PRIOR THE FLIGHT OF THE GEESE by CHARLES GEORGE DOUGLAS ROBERTS THE WORLD; SONNET by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |