Classic Poem

FOR THE 265 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY OF BOSTON

O N the rosary of Time
Golden years are hung.
Each one marks some deed sublime
Worthy to be sung
Through the coming ages,
Writ in flame on History's pages.

Back we look with glowing pride
To the noble days
When young heroes fought and died,
Not for fame or praise,
But that Freedom's glory
Might star-crown our country's story.

Men of peace for war prepared,
Did our Fathers gain
By the strife wherein they shared
Honor without stain,
Left a nation founded
On a liberty unbounded.

Former foes are hearty friends;
War's red flag is furled;
Culture's grand harmonious ends
Seek we round the world,
In a peace-league banded,
Carrying blessings, generous-handed.

Now we have a splendid task,
Empires we must build.
When poor hungry peoples ask,
Hoping to be filled,
It must be our pleasure
To relieve them from our treasure.

We must make the wilderness
Blossom like the rose,
By sweet waters' soft caress
Brought from marble snows,
Melting into fountains
Mid the far-off cloud-capt mountains.

We must make the two great seas
One forevermore,
So that Commerce may with ease
All her riches pour
For the world's advancement,
For all progress and enhancement.

Now let peace her triumphs show,
Civic virtues spread,
Broader public spirit grow,
Lofty words be said,
Honor's pure devotion
Find new field on land and ocean.

Gold that once was set apart
For the waste of strife
Shall create a higher art
For the joy of life,
So that every nation
Shall awake with exultation.

'Tis a wondrous age we face,
We must lead the van!
Saxon, Teuton, Slavic race,
For the good of man,
Eagle-eyed and lion-hearted,
Guard the empire God has started.