Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, COUNTRY -- AND COUNTRY, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

COUNTRY -- AND COUNTRY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O country, my country, whose pride is on high
Last Line: The child of dame nature, the daughter of god!
Subject(s): United States; America


O Country, my Country, whose pride is on high,
Subduer of ocean, of earth, and of sky,
Strong builder of cities, wise ruler of men,
Undaunted of sword and courageous of pen, --
Look not, O my country, look not to the town
For the food of thy peace and the seed of renown.
There, there, is thy problem, thy weakness and shame,
The one gloomy blot on thy glorious name;
But the strength of the pure, and the joy of the fair,
And the grace of the wise, are not there, are not there.
Turn, turn from the city, its sin and disgrace,
And look on the country's beatified face.
Go, wash in the brooklet the care from thy brow;
As gayly it flowed in thy childhood, so now.
Press deep in the woodland, and fall on thy knees
For the great benediction of quiet and trees.
From the crest of a hill look amazed and afar
Where only sereneness and fruitfulness are.
Find yonder a garden, where quaintly arow
Alyssum, Sweet William, and Candytuft grow.
Afield with the flock in the morning's delight,
And back with the cows on the coming of night,
And soundly asleep in the old attic bed,
God's peace on the earth and His stars overhead!
Ah, this, proud Republic of Providence, this
Is the source of thy might and the home of thy bliss.
Wherever ambition and conquest allure,
Forget not that here it is happy and pure.
Wherever thy masterful cavalcades go,
Whatever far land is thy friend or thy foe,
Whatever the perils that threatening lower,
Remember that here is renewal of power.
Exult in thy triumphs, O Ruler of Men!
Advance thy bright banner again and again!
Tread firmly the pathway our forefathers trod,
The child of Dame Nature, the daughter of God!





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