Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-03
LINES ON THE 25Oth ANNIVERSARY
of the Founding of Norwich, Conn,
BY ANDREW J. HETRIcK

D1 fAlVDNEW Js NAOA
 v, The pines of the sierras flame in light stand in their majestic forms of might; They lift their heads up in the mountain air, And nod their pumes and seem, in glad review, Q Norwich. fair Rose of New England so Thou ddst grow five times fifty years ago; And this thy anniversary day, We cheer thee with salvo on thy way
 How pleasant 'tis to see a village start,
 The houses are at first no works of art
 And varied are the shapes which they display
 Their colcrs too, dull, bright and gay
 statelysmansons, by and by,
 Not placed in gloom, but to the sunshine near;
 And all about them pleasing lawns are seen,
 With trees deciduous and evergreen Adorned greenest grass Which all delight, the young and old who pass. Across the greensward children skip and run,
 And i'll the air with sounds of merry fun
 And around their hearths with gladsome looks At night to read the tales of fairy books
 Or their mothers voice in childhood rhymes, Or others sing the songs of olden times. Twas so methinks old Norwich did arise, Or, if so. then somewhat otherwise Arise in wales and on high, sloping hills About which busy mills from which may with delight look down The beautiful groves, avenues and streets Arordng pleasing shade and soft retreats; VI The spreading trees and Chelsea parade, So often 1ssd for Pay nS tS and obep The stately homes and places Nature marks grand beyond the power of tongue to teI The halls the churches and Love Lane or deil' rivers with the old familiar names shetucket Yantic. Quinebaug and Thames Whose through meadows and upland, they reach the Sound, at hand. All these, with benefit survey, regions, also, that far
 So now with wistfu eyes and hearts we come
 Norwich dear old New England home
 places far remote and around
 To view more, and bless this halowed ground hallowed ground that oft has brought to birth thoughts that sacred in minds of worth.
 Such thoughts would, now, in all be wakened here they could read the annals of each year
 intervened since the brave founders came, And here revived well-known English name Here are the holdings the first settlers bought, Miantonomo and Uncas fought; Mason, Fitch and others laid out land, And strongly took for truth and right their stand here the pioneers most sturdy men Whom few describe with tongue or pen, Did build, doubt much better than they knew, which what grand results are now in view!
 From small beginnings, here the fathers Employed talents the spheres they chose, And with helpmates, found it good to live,
 Nor sought the freedom which divorces give.
 The merchants here rich and poor their due,
 Regarded much more than what they do;
 And manufacturers held products less
 Than their producers, in all kinds of stress;
 And politicians ran vulgar race.
 And purchased not, with gold, longed- for place.
 Or sought, by other intrigue, to gain
 Success in sharply fought campaign;
 But honoraby to give to high and low
 Preferments, should alone bestow.
 None strove to gather where they had not sowed,
 Or looked for wealth where they'd work bestowed; all, day in seyen ceased from toll,
 And suffered naught from this of loss or moil
 They rested, like the Pilgrims that day.
 And worshiped God, in their adorng way.
 Commandments had meaning then
 Which was respected by cen thoughtess t less men;
 And twas not sought to render void their claims, By lowering the bars to sinful games The women here were held in high esteem But a Grecian slaves who did not gleam, Or girls in Chesterfed's indugent age When dress with little culture the rage And industrious in female And worthy of enjeweled words of praise. As heat never be divorced from fire. Religion did in them good taste inspire, Refinement and that noble Christian thought And which naught else has brought their humble homes restful bowers In which their loved spent delightful hours The clergy tlabored here from to year, And whether with looks pleasant austere, Proclaimed the truth, reproved rebuked and prayed Adversity,s severity allayed, md brought to the bereaved and woe-betde, Nor themselves the of life aside. md here, reverently let it be said Reposing living called the dead; In Yantic cemetery and the rest ashes fulfilling the behest: bodies of the just and the unjust Alike what they the dust; souls must to their Creator God And stay with their partners meath the sod. We greet though they by, And grasp our hand with that ifeess lie; Rest be to and to them joy and And happiness that cannot have surcease!
 Today, we view, with pride. the work they've done
 al results attained, and glories won
 Meeting house rocks, we readily see s The beauties of stream, grove and lea,
 trees the church, the houses and old
 Which landscape lovely to behold
 A panorama of encrcling land,
 Such noted regions command
 We're proud of the environs of this place,
 The incunabula of good race,