Classic Poem

While the planets sang together
At this old world's birth,
Beauty loosed her golden fetters —
Winged her way to earth.
Hither, thither, free she rambled
Over sea and land;
Aimlessly she gaily wandered
To far Carib's strand.

On the laughing trade-wind's bosom
Came she to entrance
Into brightness all things gloomy
Simply by her glance.
She draped the palm, festooned the lily,
Gave the sky its hue —
Santa Rita looming distant,
Robed in wondrous blue.

Kissed the pear; smiled on the mango,
Decked the pine with fringe,
Dyed the orange and banana
With the sunlight's tinge.
Flitted thro' the tangled forest,
Strewing fragrance rare,
And where'er she paused a moment,
Placed an orchid there.

Graced the slender, swaying bamboo,
Crowned the cottonwood;
Ferns and crotons sprang around her
As she smiling stood.
Birds and blossoms dressed in prisms
Her handiwork caressed —
Then sped on her journey, leaving
Man alone unblessed!