Classic Poem

A blessing on the broad, bright lands
Whose children come to ours,
And lead us with their fragrant hands
Around the world of flowers.

No dust upon the sandalled feet,
As they who go to find,
In other lands, a flower as sweet
As one they left behind.

With them our thoughts all journeys take,
With them our fancies roam,
And ever when we will, we wake
And find ourselves at home.

They wake for us the breath and bloom,
Where soft Circassia smiles;
They veil beneath their tender bloom
The maidens of the isles.

They bid the green oasis creep
Around the desert wells;
They sound on many a cedared steep
The sweet pagoda bells.

All times and climes they journey through,
Until their pathway lies,
Beyond the gates of morning, to
The walks of Paradise.

And many an angel of the earth
Their upward path hath trod,
Gone from our garden gateways, forth
Into the arms of God.