The sun came out of the East And went to the West -- Fourscore years have drifted by Since caravans struggling, steeds perspiring, Lusty babes suckling, mothers soothing, The Forty-Niners toiled and pushed to the West. Through mountain crevice and rocky-peak summit, O'er S-Path bridges that wended west The ox carts jolted; the house goods rattled, Women fainted, but the men pushed west; The Indians painted and whooped on the summit, The bluebirds startled, fluttered in distance. The steeds pranced slower, but the men went west O'er rocky summits, bathed violet in sunset; The sun rose warmer as the throng pushed west. The sun rose warmer and lasted longer, Its rays grew mellow -- the ocean bounded, Faint heart cheered when they found the West. Orange-blossom fragrance, heavy on misty air, A land o'erburdened with nature's treasure; The skies more mellow with clouds o'erlaid; A woman's heart and humanity's courage -- A golden dream came out of the East And found a place in the West. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TAY BRIDGE DISEASTER by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL THE SAILOR BOY by ALFRED TENNYSON NO SONGS IN WINTER by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH FRIDAY NIGHT by ISIDORE G. ASCHER ON MISS HELEN FAUCIT'S JULIET by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE PRETENCE by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |