Page 193 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

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192 THIRD BOOK OF
And I read in each tint of the skies and the earth,
How distant my steps from the land of my birth.
3. But to thee, as thy lode-stars resplendently burn
In their clear depths of blue, with devotion I turn, Bright Cross of the South! an beholding thee shine, Scarce regret the loved land of the olive and vine.
4. Thou recallest the ages when rst o'er the main
My thers un lded the streamer of Spain,
And planted their ith in the regons that see
Its imperishing symbol emblazoned in thee.
5. How oft in their course o'er the oceans unknown, Vhen all was mysterious, and awfully lone,
Hath their spirit been cheered by the light, when the
deep
Re ected its brilliance in tremulous sleep!
6. As the vision that rose to the lord of the world,* When rst his bright banner of ith was un rl'd; Ev'n such to the heroes of Spain, when their prow Made the billows the path of their glory, wert thou.
7. And to me, as I traverse the world of the west, Through deserts of beauty in stillness that rest, By rests and rivers, untamed in their pride,
Thy beams have a language, thy course is a guide.
8. Shine on-my own land is a r-distant spot,
And the stars of thy sphere can enlighten it not; And the eyes that I love, though e'en now they
may be
O'er the rmament wand'ring, can gaze not on thee!
* Constantine.