The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-29

THE VISION OF 'BFENVILLE. <: <:

Look opce asainr', and now no more were ] His men, but pleasant hamlets 'rouni about And towns and cities. fertile fields between. Where once the red man raised his battle And put tho forest denizcns to rout. The iron horse of trade his signal screamed. No more the birch canoe shot flashing out From reedy bank. but all the waters teemed With monster floating things, that half life-
 gifted seemed And amid the swaying seas of golden The ruddy farmer stood; and carved in
 thought Surrounded by his closely lettered leaves The man of commerce sat, and he who
 wrought
 In precious metals. or by Tubal taught More useful things turned from the baser Than dreaming aIchemist in folly sought. And ev'ry busy artisan who pours Into the earthly life some sweet or needed
 stores.
 And there were those whose feet Par nassus' mount
 Had climbed; who nestled in Its dreamy
 shade:
 Who quenehed their thirsting at its sacred
 fount,
 And rising from the drausht such music That nature listened as when orpheus That weary human hearts again beat
 strong.
 And those into whose lives the magic
 strayed
 Forgot that there was vice or shame or Forgot that there was aught save God and
 love and song.
 The i bright S % one pointed. Whispering.
 Thine own, Thine own. the child of labor and of pain As yet unborn; but when the years have Behold it to fairer stature grown The smiling bay doth kiss 1t tenderly, By syrg prh bresae rom srSy dancing sss From Norway's icyfjords or sunny Italy. town of industries and thriving trade. Of busy brains and never -hagging feet. Their fellows lots. of lives as mild and As it's own cline. of blooms that love to Alike December and the verdant May. Where churches rise. where virtue's lofty
 seat
 Is fair to see. and knowledge points the To where ofympian hills are touched with endless day, 70 speak Bienvilie strove, but with look His guide forbade, and to another scene .sis eyes directed. There. town that took Its name from his great king. queen Was crowned, with lights of mystic sheen. And all the world came fiocking to her gate. Such splendor and such concourse scarce were seen In Arthur's reign. for each attending state It's treasure brought-if good. or beautiful.
 or great.
 They brought her gifts from forest, field From evry art that God hath sent below To mingle with our dust, a spark divine; And relics from the days of long ago, That these might lift their blemishes and How onward wheels the earth. and how in years From struggling infancy land may grow Triumphant OCT her foi mer feuds and fears, Until mid nations gray. her head she shameless reers. The glory died in darkness; far before Bienyille saw the wavering, noon-kissed He heard the pillows whisper to the shore. A glowing strangely joyous, seemed to \ Upon his soul, and falling to his knees gHe cried: 70. God. most gracious unto me. Who beckoned me across the painless Rejoicing will bear tho griefs to be, If thou so wondrous made this country's
 destiny
 Two .>eolden centuries have passed. and
 stilled
 Is that brave heart; and yet we ponder
 OCT
 His noble life: and how has time fulfilled The vision that foretold in days of yore The greatness of the new-discovered
 shore.
 Which we, beholding now with wond ring
 eyes
 Perceive it's promise broaden more and | more,
 As he who, fathoming the evening skies Beholds beyond each sphere new starry
 vistas rise.