The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-18
MRS. LAWRENCEs POEM.
Read at the Launching of the Battle
ship Ohio.

Read at the Launching OF G46 0dtAAG-
ship Ohio.
Oh, star Of Empire. thou that went be-
The pilgrim in the misty days Of yore.
When. glad, the Son of Progress lert the
To pioneer Hesperian shores alone
A nevv-world life ana liberty and power,
With bosom bare. and limbs of sturdy
The manly youth ran thro' the early
His bgsSined feet touched light the trOu-
His guest to wake dreaming world
BY sandy Shores. Ger AlIegheny's crest.
He paused to hear the valleys purring
Far to the west. the food-tide's ceaseless
Broke, Ger his soul in waves of living
pleasure
Through the wild primeval forest.
Crepf the youth with wondrous mean
Blazing trees for future heroes
Waving wands with wizard seeming.
From the wigwam came the cabin
And the plying locomotive
Drove the saddened red man back
Round the campfire chieftains marVeAed
That the nature dream was Ter;
Followed they the deer and bison.
Toward a friendly SHUTDOWN shore.
Mansions farms and cities grand
Sprans e't to bless less this happy f an9.
Spirit OF Ohio-gOddess-
Ruled this land OF inspiration:
And the Son of Progress wed her
10, their children lead the nation.
Proud the sire-but discontinued;
Undismayed-quailed not the wrack-
With his offspring. bold as Hector,
Drove the frontier border back
III.
Afar. where the famed Golden Gate
Swings low at the close of the day.
Bronzed Progress sits moulding a queen;
Wars arbiter-f-esh for the fray.
With tackle and block and blow,
In steel. men clothe this bold desire,
In fleece of flame below
With hands that are horny with toll
And a patient. steady tread,
The ranks of men file in and out
To gather their harvest Of bread
With hammer and forge and flame,
With ri.et and bolt and blade.
They bind her ribs TO her monster frame.
'Tis a giant that man hath made.
OF sunlight DER labOrS well done.
Mems arms gather strength with each
And the men and the ship are as one.
They know that the FORCES red glare
With cheers on the lips of the men.
They'll sigh when the ship heaves away.
She yearns for her kingdom, the sea;
The Spirit-Ohio shalt sever her chains.
To cut the brocade Of the deep
To walk b. the feel of the land
As love fOndly fingers round sleep,
So Faith puts her seal on her hand.
Plunge out in thy baptismal fount.
OH ship of the magical name;
Ride firm Ger the wave in thy pioneer
way.
AS men in the highway of fame
Our men IN the highway of fame.
If like a proud Sea-gull. thy fate,
To ride the pillows away.
over fathOmless depths where the sea
monsters mate
And fight Ger the fiotsam of prey
From lost vessels. the hctsam of prey
The guerdOn that hangs round thy name
And the sons of our bountiful soil,
Shall smite thy proud turrets with ran
cOrOus fame.
If thou dOst eer shame her with spoil
Dost shame her with il-gOtten spoil
Sail out on the high seas of state
If foul blows the south wind or fair;
With homes to protect and nation de-
fend.
Our sons and our ship will be there
Brave as Perry our ship will be there.
May the lust of the nation be lost
In LIES tide. where the deep soundings
Then captain, fear not with our ensign
on high.
To follow the pale of His star
With cannon TO follow His star.
Let Mercy stride free DER the deck.
And Love from the bridge draw the
sword:
Then firmly thouIt scourge with thy
thunderous might
The foe with the help of the Lord
Wit win With the help of the Lord