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HOME OF THE PILGRIMS.

OVER the mountain wave, see where they come ! Storm-cloud and wintry wind welcome them home; Yet, where the sounding gale howls to the sea, There their song peals along, deep-toned and free: "Pilgrims and wanderers, hither we come, Where the free dare to be-this is our home!"

England hath sunny dales, dearly they bloom;
Scotia hath heather bells, sweet their perfume;
Yet through the wilderness cheerful we stray,
Native land, native land-home far away!

"Pilgrims and wanderers, hither we come,
Where the free dare to be-this is our home!"

Dim grew the forest-path; onward they trod;
Firm beat their noble hearts, trusting in God.
Gray men and blooming maids, high rose their song;
Hear it sweep, clear and deep, ever along—

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Pilgrims and wanderers, hither we come,

Where the free dare to be-this is our home!"

Not theirs the glory wreath, torn by the blast

;

Heavenward their holy steps, heavenward they pass'd!
Green be their mossy graves, ours be their fame !
While their song peals along, ever the same-

"Pilgrims and wanderers, hither we come,
Where the free dare to be-this our home!"

GEORGE LUNT.

PILGRIMS IN SUNNY CLIMES.*

WHERE the remote Bermudas ride
In th' ocean's bosom unespy'd;
From a small boat that row'd along,
The list'ning wind received this song:-

"What should we do but sing His praise,
That led us through the wat'ry maze,
Unto an isle so long unknown,

And yet far kinder than our own?

Where He the huge sea-monster wracks,
That lift the deep upon their backs.
He lands us on a grassy stage,

Safe from the storms' and prelates' rage.
He gave us this eternal spring,
Which here enamels every thing;
And sends the fowls to us in care,
On daily visits through the air.

The above lines do not refer to the Pilgrim Fathers, but to a settlement at the Bermudas under somewhat similar circumstances, as is evidenced by the allusion to immunity from persecution for conscience sake. By the third patent of the Virginia Company, granted in 1612, the Bermudas, and all islands within three hundred leagues of the coast, were included within the limits of their jurisdiction. These islands they sold to 120 of their own members, who became a distinct corporation, under the name of the Somers' Islands Company.-See "Stith's Virginia," p. 127, App. 4.

George Mourt, writing of the Pilgrims of Plymouth, says: "The example of the Honourable Virginia and Bermudas Companies encountering with so many disasters, and that for divers years together, with an unwearied resolution, the good effects whereof are now eminent, may prevail as a spur of preparation also touching this no less hopeful country. Though yet an infant, their extent and commodities are as yet not fully known; aftertime will unfold more."

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PILGRIMS IN SUNNY CLIMES.

He hangs in shades the orange bright,
Like golden lamps in a green night;
And does in the pomegranates close
Jewels more rich than ocean shows.
He makes the figs our mouths to meet,
And throws the melons at our feet;
But apples plants of such a price,
No tree could ever bear them twice.
With cedars chosen by His hand,
From Lebanon, He stores the land;
And makes the hollow seas that roar
Proclaim the ambergrease on shore.
He cast (of which we rather boast)
The Gospel's pearl upon our coast;
And in these rocks for us did frame
A temple, where to sound His name.
Oh! let our voice His praise exalt,
Till it arrive at heaven's vault;
Which, then (perhaps) rebounding, may
Echo beyond the Mexique Bay."

Thus sung they, in the English boat,
An holy and a cheerful note;
And all the way, to guide their chime,
With falling oars they kept the time.

ANDREW MARVELL.

THE MISSION OF THE PILGRIMS.

THEY Come-that coming who shall tell?
The eye may weep, the breast may swell;
But the poor tongue in vain essays
A fitting note for them to raise.
We hear the after-shout that rings
For them who smote the power of kings;
The swelling triumph all would share :
But who the dark defeat would dare,
And boldly meet the wrath and woe
That wait the unsuccessful blow ?

It were an envied fate, we deem,
To live a land's recorded theme

When we are in the tomb.
We, too, might yield the joys of home,
And waves of winter darkness roam,
And tread a shore of gloom,

Knew we those waves, through coming time,
Should roll our names to every clime;
Felt we that millions on that shore
Should stand, our memory to adore.
But no glad vision burst in light
Upon the pilgrim's aching sight;

D

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THE MISSION OF THE PILGRIMS.

Their hearts no proud hereafter swelled;
Deep shadows veiled the way they held;
The yell of vengeance was the trump of fame;
Their monument, a grave without a name.

Yet strong in weakness, there they stand
On yonder icebound rock,

Stern and resolved, that faithful band,
To meet fate's rudest shock.

Though anguish rends the father's breast,
For them, his dearest and his best,

With him the waste who trod;

Though tears that freeze the mother sheds
Upon her children's houseless heads-
The Christian turns to God!

In grateful adoration now,

Upon the barren sands they bow;

What tongue of joy e'er woke such prayer

As bursts in desolation there!

What arm of strength e'er wrought such power

As waits to crown that feeble hour!

There into life an infant empire springs!

There falls the iron from the soul,

There Liberty's young accents roll

Up to the King of kings!

To fair creation's farthest bound

That thrilling summons yet shall sound;

The dreaming nations shall awake,

And to their centre earth's old kingdoms shake.

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