Classic Poem

Across a century's border-line
Unmarked by frowning fort or sign,
To-day as one, with differing name,
A kindred heritage we claim:

The heritage of those born free
To shape the onward destiny
Of church and state to nobler plan,
The crowning commonwealth of man.

Blest be the Providence that bore
Our fathers to this New-World shore,
And trained a vigorous stock to be
Upbuilders of democracy.

Their task, committed to our trust,
We steadfast hold and hold we must,
Till all America shall own
The harvest from their planting grown:

Yea, till the ever narrowing tide
No more the continents divide,
And through all lands beneath the sun
The severed nations meet as one!