4. And in the world, as in the school, I'd say how fate may change and shiftThe prize be sometimes with the fool, The race not always to the swift; The strong may yield, the good may fall, The great man be a vulgar clown, The knave be lifted over all, The kind cast pitilessly down. 5. So each shall mourn, in life's advance, Be each, pray God, a gentleman. 6. A gentleman, or old or young! (Bear kindly with my humble lays ;) 24 PART II. CONTAINING celebrated poems which have become familiar to most readers, and which are so valuable as to demand a place in every acceptable series. XCVII. THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 1. The Pilgrim Fathers-where are they? Still roll in the bay as they rolled that day, 2. The mists that wrapped the Pilgrim's sleep And the rocks yet keep their watch by the deep, But the snow-white sail that he gave to the gale, 3. The Pilgrim exile-sainted name! The hill, whose icy brow Rejoiced when he came, in the morning's flame, And the moon's cold light, as it lay that night Still lies where he laid his houseless head But the Pilgrim—where is he? 4. The Pilgrim Fathers are at rest; When summer's throned on high, And the world's warm breast is in verdure dressed, Go stand on the hill where they lie. The earliest ray of the golden day On that hallowed spot is cast; And the evening sun, as he leaves the world, 5. The Pilgrim spirit has not fled : It walks in noon's broad light; And it watches the bed of the glorious dead, It watches the bed of the brave who have bled, Till the waves of the bay where the Mayflower lay XCVIII. OUR NATIONAL HYMN. 1. My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, 2. My native country, thee— I love thy rocks and rills, 3. Let music swell the breeze, Let mortal tongues awake; Let rocks their silence break- 4. Our fathers' God, to thee, Author of liberty, To thee we sing : Long may our land be bright Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King. |