Classic Poem

I WALKED at noon down Broadway
And East I turned at Wall,
Crossed Nassau Street and William —
Old Glory over all!
Did you not do the same, today —
And brush the sudden tear away?

The hanging gardens — how they bloom
Far up the builded canyon's gloom!
There never was before a spring
Of such a wondrous blossoming
To make the eye and heart adore! ...
How beautiful, how beautiful —
How beautiful I never knew before!

The hanging gardens — Oh, how brave
When on the lifting wind they wave!
Nor flaw nor frost can work them wrong,
Perennial is the stock, and strong —
In hardihood 'twas sown of yore! ...
How beautiful, how beautiful —
How beautiful I never knew before!

The hanging gardens — colors three
Are all the raptured eye can see:
No flower exotic here has place,
But all are sprung of native race —
The red, the white, the blue — not more ...
How beautiful, how beautiful —
How beautiful I never knew before!

The hanging gardens — and how far
May crimson band and candid star
A looming throw in other skies
O'er lands where kindred bloom shall rise
From broadcast seed that Freedom bore ...
How beautiful, how beautiful —
How beautiful I never knew before!