PERSEVERANCE. 73 PERSEVERANCE. CLOSE to his destined habitation, lies Though marvellous in its kind. A place exists, In search of treasure there by Nature formed, And there concealed; but they who tried were foiled, And all desisted, all save him alone, Who, taking counsel of his own clear thoughts, And trusting only to his own weak hands, Urged unremittingly the stubborn work, But when the Lord of Seasons had matured The fruits of earth through space of twice ten years, प्र T 74 THE CYCLE OF LIFE. The mountain's entrails offered to the view Not with more transport did Columbus greet Of prosperous fortune. On the fields he looked Of schemes and wishes; in the daylight walked Quaffed in his gratitude immoderate cups; He vanished; but conspicuous to this day The deer across their greensward bound And the swan glides past them with the sound The merry homes of England! Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love There woman's voice flows forth in song, The cottage homes of England! By thousands on her plains, Through glowing orchards forth they peep, And fearless there the lowly sleep, The free, fair homes of England! |