LAYS OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS. THE PILGRIMS' FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. THE breeze has swelled the whitening sail, Homes, and all we loved before. The deep may dash, the winds may blow, Still, as long as life shall last, 22 THE PILGRIMS' FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. For we would rather never be, Than dwell where mind cannot be free, O, see what wonders meet our eyes! Here, at length, our feet shall rest, As long as yonder firs shall spread Their green arms o'er the mountain's head— Where join the ocean and the land,- Proud retreats for liberty. T. C. UPHAM. THE PILGRIMS AT ANCHOR. THE breaking waves dashed high, On a stern and rock-bound coast; And the woods, against a stormy sky, Their giant branches tost; And the heavy night hung dark, The hills and waters o'er, When a band of exiles moored their bark On the wild New England shore. Not as the conqueror comes, They, the true-hearted, came; Not with the stirring roll of drums, And the trumpet that sings of fame. Not as the flying come, In silence and in fear They shook the depths of the desert gloom With their hymns of lofty cheer. 24 THE PILGRIMS AT ANCHOR. Amid the storm they sang, And the stars heard, and the sea; And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang With the anthem of the free! The ocean eagle soared From his nest by the white waves' foam, There were men with hoary hair There was woman's fearless eye, Lit by her deep love's truth; There was manhood's brow serenely high, What sought they thus afar? Bright jewels of the mine? The wealth of seas? the spoils of war ?— They sought a faith's pure shrine ! Ay, call it holy ground, The soil where first they trod : They have left unstained what there they found— FREEDOM TO WORSHIP GOD! FELICIA HEMANS. |