Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-04
An Inaugural Ode.

nicer this b,tnu"! OF ours i!Hlurlcu
TO tie Wln,iS ot The woriu.
y u, by Goa = grace. titiZullS. ooNtI'lSilS
lords OF tins land.
Seeking Il MAN among lnt.,
Fixing on you tor our choice once again,
Give you this day. high place.
SoIcrnn and mutual vows we make thi-
day;
To defend our fair temple of state.
70 protect the pure spirit vi laws,
To watch ana to pray
Against treason, within and without;
NIthin.-for the fat"
OF all our unborn generations
Hangs on these vows W" make,
Without,-fOr our cause.
And this oath which YOU take.
are the promis" of peace To tiic nations.
For nur war is the fight HGainS; whr,
And the strife against wrong.
And our song
Is the battle shout
u Il mighty army nf peace.
Tie living breath
or newborn liarnionioS,
That shall be sung
II. every hiinan tongue.
This is the oath We take.
As You take up tie Light against wrong
10 defc,d
even unto the end.
'th4E. our cause. TINS. the creed
", confess:
That justice and Mercy endure,
With righteousness.
And naught else is SURE
And nauSlt less!
Though men say
These are dreams. foolish dreams:
Though the way
Through tho desert still seems
Blind. pcrilous, weariiy. cndicssly long
Nay,
Though III" Very dust that we raise
With our feet on the long trodd"n ways,
Shafts ont all the light Of our days:
Arc we lost then. indeed,
Snail no leader be found. in our need!
In this then our life, cVernorc to rchcarS'
Those tales that are told
OF the people of old,
Who were faitilless. p"rvcrs",
And worshipred strange gods. which the!
with the work of their hands:
OH We.
Yc who have climbed the heights an,
rhc Lords commands.
The table of that law which sets us free.
And. coming from the mountain. as of ol'
Have fo,ind our god IL beast. and made o
gold
When the true vision is at last revealed.
This is our norton in that promised Land
a sacred soil. to till; place to stand
Against the Philistines: Il battl" field
Where We must fight and fail; yea. hint
in hand
New no more. rs Of old.
Does the dust oi our striving by day
Blind the sight OF our eyes.
Nor shut OFT the light of the sun
Ere the days work is done.
For the wind of the Lord blows behind us
Is the sound Of it:
And as il was writ.
AMI the tale thereof told.
Soc. tnt columns Of dust that arise
Arc hccOm" as a pillar Of cloud
In the skies,
To point out the way.
And our cup shall run Ger
In the day of our nccd,
Md He shall restore
And max" whole,
In rs and cllT seed.
tn" great living soul
OF the t"eminS
World. ever dreaming
OF things that are to be.
81" here and now. We bid YOU stand
Stand and receive the sacred oath.--t'
protect
This fair temple of ours. which wa
Through the ages of ages.
By the mind of the One
Great Architect:
THIS dream of tire prophets and sages,
BY whom the fair work was begun,
This house. which was made
Ey mems toll
And the work of their hands.
ILL Ter" under tn" sun:
This temple which Stands
~ :; r"iUc" tor men nf all nations,
Who's" strong foundations
Forever firm are laid
In the free soil
OF the fertile earth.
Ano Ill every heart. on every hearth,
Nhcrc'"r still burn tho sacred fires
ct liberty and brothers love.
Ard this living wall
Shall never rlove
These Lofty towers
Shall never fall.
f'ut by our guilt.
And +" our seattle
! or behold they are built
~ the blood Of our sons AMI our brothers
.tnd the faith
OF orr mothers.
Nni their glorious strength ever rests
In the graves of our Sires.
AHi IN our daughters breasts.
s" this temple Of ours.
" hicll WAS made
or = refuge for men,
fi.,s become as house of the Lord
50 twice was it saved by the sword
vi our fathers. who fell
IN faiths fierce endeayor
III ~ We. coming after might dwell
Tho rein. unafraid.
WIN goodness and mercy forever
Alexander Blair Thaw.