WHERE, girt around by savage foes, Our nurturing Mother's shelter rose, Behold, the lofty temple stands, Reared by her children's grateful hands! Firm are the pillars that defy The volleyed thunders of the sky; Sweet are the summer wreaths that twine With bud and flower our martyrs' shrine. The hues their tattered colors bore Fall mingling on the sunlit floor Till evening spreads her spangled pall, And wraps in shade the storied hall. Firm were their hearts in danger's hour, Sweet was their manhood's morning flower Their hopes with rainbow hues were bright, -- How swiftly winged the sudden night! O Mother! on thy marble page Thy children read, from age to age, The mighty word that upward leads Through noble thought to nobler deeds. TRUTH, heaven-born TRUTH, their fearless guide, Thy saints have lived, thy heroes died; Our love has reared their earthly shrine, Their glory be forever thine! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...REGARDING CHAINSAWS by HAYDEN CARRUTH LIMERICK by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD CHILDREN by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR EHEU, FUGACES! by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS RECOMPENSE by DOROTHY MOORE ALFORD THANKS BE TO GOD by JANIE ALFORD THE BRIDES' TRAGEDY: ACT 1, SCENE 1 by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES A QUARTET ('THE MIKADO' AT CAMBRIDGE) by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |