The river curving to the sea, The ocean populous of ships, Hold the fair city tenderly, And press her forehead with their lips. For years but leave her fairer still, And gleaming like a golden star; Ever upon her central hill A brighter glory shines afar: The glory of a thoughtful mind, A spirit open to the sky, A heart that beats for all mankind, A soul that worships God Most High. No civic glory like to these, Though stone on stone tremendous tower, And all the wide world's argosies Bring donatives of wealth and power. From those ideals never shrink, Dear town, nor once to mammon swerve, -- Your eager eminence, to think; Your ample guerdon, just to serve. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A DOG by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD DEDICATION OF THE DESIGNS TO BLAIR'S GRAVE: TO THE QUEEN by WILLIAM BLAKE THE VEIL by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE A WORLD BEYOND by NATHANIEL INGERSOLL BOWDITCH ELEGY UPON DOCTOR CHADDERTON, THE FIRST MASTER OF EMANUEL COLLEGE by JOHN CLEVELAND |