Page:The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15.djvu/706
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To Carolina Coronado.
[June,
TO CAROLINA CORONADO.
A LILY anchored by the Spanish main,
Swaying and shining in the surge of youth,
Yet holding in thy breast the gold of truth,—
Swaying and shining in the surge of youth,
Yet holding in thy breast the gold of truth,—
Such didst thou seem above the waves of pain,
And through the stormy turbulence of war,
Until we heard thy patriot voice afar!
And through the stormy turbulence of war,
Until we heard thy patriot voice afar!
Now, Sister, with the burning heart of Spain,
We speak to thee from this New England strand,
And grasp and hold thee with a firm right hand!
We speak to thee from this New England strand,
And grasp and hold thee with a firm right hand!
For thou hast touched our people with thy word,—
Only a gentle woman's word, but one
With the great work our Nation has begun.
Only a gentle woman's word, but one
With the great work our Nation has begun.
By Liberty thy earnest soul was stirred,
And waked and urged Estremadura's men
To pour the heroic wine of life again.
And waked and urged Estremadura's men
To pour the heroic wine of life again.
As in the dawn of Summer flits a bird
From his low nest and springs into the air,
Hurrying a double concert and a prayer,—
From his low nest and springs into the air,
Hurrying a double concert and a prayer,—
So Liberty, with thy sweet voice allied,
Walks in thy footsteps, with her laurel strows
Thy footway, with, thy trustful spirit glows.
Walks in thy footsteps, with her laurel strows
Thy footway, with, thy trustful spirit glows.
Esteem her friendship with unwavering pride!
Teach thou thy children what the years have brought,
Wisdom and love superior to thy thought!
Teach thou thy children what the years have brought,
Wisdom and love superior to thy thought!
Once thou hast said, "All men may win her side,
But women never!" Sister, do not fear,
Recall thy words, since Love has made truth clear.
But women never!" Sister, do not fear,
Recall thy words, since Love has made truth clear.
For Love 'is master, and we know no other,
Save self-compelling service to the right,
Which is but Love in the seraphic sight
Save self-compelling service to the right,
Which is but Love in the seraphic sight
Teach this thy sons and to each man thy brother,—
A secret learned in silent joys of home,
A secret whence the lights of being come.
A secret learned in silent joys of home,
A secret whence the lights of being come.
So guided by this lamp, O wife and mother,
Turn thine eyes hither to the Western shore,
Where red streams run and iron thunders roar!
Turn thine eyes hither to the Western shore,
Where red streams run and iron thunders roar!