The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-23
THE BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON.

clan, which was read at the Washington
Birthday exercises at the University Of
Pennsylvania yesterday:
God of the nations! Thou whose hand
Led forth their best across the sea,
To find in this unfettred land
Thy largest gift--the soul set FIRE.
Bless Thou the land Thy bounty gave,
Thy feeble few are grown host
From eastern sea to western wave.
Blest be their homes from coast "a
coast.
Give them Thy peace, but il arrayed
Once more against some evil power
They draw again a righteous blade,
BE with them in the battle hour!
AS when upon the Cuban deep
The thunder of our cannon spoke.
And from sad centuries of sleep,
The stately form Of freedom woke.
Remembering MIN we praise today
flushed Is the mighty roar of trade,
And, pausing on its ardent way.
nations homage here is laid,
Where. on the great virginian's grave.
Lood down the new born century's eyes
And by his loved Potomac wave
in Gods long rest, his soldier lies.
hundred years have naught revealed
To blot this manhood's record high
That blazoned dutys stainless shield
And set star in honour's sky.
In seif-approval firm. his life
Serenely passed through darkest days.
In calm or storm, in peace or, strife.
Unmoved by blame. unstirred by praise,
No warrior pride disturbed his peace,
Nor place. nor gain. He loved his fields
His home, the chase. his lands increase
The simple life that nature yields.
And yet from MS all man could give
H. gave, with that which never dies.
The gift through which great nations live
The lifelong gift OF sacrifice.
With true humility ne learned
The game of war. the art of rule;
And calmly patient, slowly earned
His competence in LIES large school.
Well may We honor him who sought
To live with one unfailing aim,
Arid found at last, unmasked. upbought,
IN dutys path, the ieweled fame.
Ay. Keep your laurels green for him,
And that great memory proudly guard
Lest times mere repetition dim
A grateful nations high award!
Thus, mindful of faithful past,
We arm us for our present need.
Lest factious storms his harvest blast.
And freedom. overgrown, exceed;
For that dark race our arms set free
Waits justice from our timid sway.
And those far islands of the sea
In freedoms school must win their way
Az. We are lords Of many lands
And soon or late may sadly learn
That history with impartial hands
Will give us only what we earn.
Oh, teach us to not lightly hold
The freeman's right himself to rule,
And not from sloth, and not for gold,
To be the civic dspot's fool:
For He who girded Us with power.
And gave us strength 10 do the right
Will ask ms. in His own stern hour,
"EIow have We used the gift Of might 2
Since till this harried earth shall gain
The heaven of Thy peace, o Lord!
Freedau and Law will need to reign
Beneath the shadow OF the sword,
O Thou who bade US seek and find,
Teach us TO seek with humble art
Through laws of the Eternal Mind
The wisdom of the Eternal Heart:
.I.o, science on her soaring wing
To heights We dream not now, shall
move.
| Until her broad horizons bring
Thy larger morn Of boundless love.
thus from the childhood of the soul
we grow toward manhood's stature
still.
| To see at last the years unroll
The Gospel OF the Masters will
Hail. Gracious Mother! ihou whose your
Sent forth q brood of sturdy men.
| who stood for freedom and for truth,
| And used the sword TO free the pen
Still ever in thy learned walls
! The will. the wish the vigour live!
| Av ready. If our country calls.
! To meet what fat may duty give
| Almighty Father. Bless that home
/ OF youthful hopes and honest STRIFE,
Wherever these Thy children roam
Be Thou their stay in death and lite'
| That when with years they bring Us her
The simple tale Of service done,
Or victories to a nation dear.
Or triumphs peaceful lives have won.
Here shall the mother, 1T whose knee
They heard the words that guido an
guard
Glad OF her children. proudly sec
IN noble lives. her best reward.
S. WEIR MITCHELL.