Classic Poem

The child of love and power and fame you came,
An Empire's sunshine on your classic brow;
You came to meet a people's loud acclaim—
The mighty future's murmur 'gainst the now:
And when that tide shall rise, with myriad sound,
Bearing imperial hopes upon its breast,
Laving full many a margent city-crown'd,
Reflecting many a mountain's airy crest;
Then, like some beacon-bearing headland, you
Shall tower on high, far seen across the blue.
To you, thro' lapsing years, shall turn the eyes
Of those who fain would read the statesman's chart,
And learn, when torrents roar and tempests rise,
To steer with wary hand and play a patriot's part.