Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][ocr errors]

They shook the depths of the desert gloom

With their hymns of lofty cheer.

Amidst the storm they sang,

And the stars heard, and the sea;

And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang

To the anthem of the free!

The ocean eagle soared

From his nest by the white wave's foam And the rocking pines of the forest roared This was their welcome home!

There were men with hoary hair
Amidst that pilgrim band;

Why had they come to wither there,
Away from their childhood's land?

There was woman's fearless eye,

Lit by her deep love's truth;

There was manhood's brow serenely high,

And the fiery heart of youth.

What sought they thus afar?

Bright jewels of the mine?

The wealth of seas, the spoils of war?

They sought a faith's pure shrine!

Ay, call it holy ground,

The soil where first they trod.

They have left unstained what there they found — Freedom to worship God.

- Felicia Hemans

Just as Uncle Jack finished, the train drew into the station of Plymouth.

66

"Suppose," said Father as they left the train, suppose that in visiting this historic spot, we go first to Pilgrim Hall. Then we can have luncheon, and end with a visit to the ancient graveyard and to the National Monument. What say you,

Jack?"

"A good idea," was the reply. "There is much to be seen, and we can make the most of our time by following the plan you suggest."

So Father's plan was adopted and a busy day followed....

"How did you enjoy your visit to Plymouth, Belle?" asked Uncle Jack, when they were on the train again, on the way back to Boston.

“Very much, indeed, Uncle Jack," was Belle's reply. "But how can I remember all the historic things we have seen to-day! There are so many of them! I copied two of the quaint old epitaphs

in the graveyard, as they were too good to lose and I couldn't possibly remember them."

"May I see them, Belle?" asked Uncle Jack. "Certainly, Uncle Jack," replied Belle, as she handed him her commonplace book.

And Uncle Jack read these two queer old epitaphs:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

"Those are certainly quaint and curious, Belle,"

said Uncle Jack, as he returned the book. "I think I shall give you some lines written by John Boyle O'Reilly on the Pilgrim Fathers, which you may put with them."

"Please do, Uncle Jack, I shall be very glad to have them," said Belle.

“Listen, then," and Uncle Jack recited the following lines:

(To be read by the teacher to the pupils, who should follow the reading in their books.)

THE PILGRIM FATHERS*

One righteous word for Law - the common Will;
One living truth of Faith - God regnant still;
One primal test of Freedom all combined;
One sacred Revolution - change of mind;
One trust unfailing for the night and need —
The tyrant-flower shall cast the freedom-seed.

So held they firm, the Fathers aye to be,
From Home to Holland, Holland to the sea,
Pilgrims for manhood, in their little ship,
Hope in each heart and prayer on every lip.

They could not live by king-made codes and creeds;
They chose the path where every footstep bleeds.

* Copyright; used through the courtesy of James S. Murphy, trustee of the O'Reilly estate.

Protesting, not rebelling; scorned and banned;

Through pains and prisons harried from the land;
Through double exile, - till at last they stand
Apart from all, unique, unworldly, true,
Selected grain to sow the earth anew;

A winnowed part, a saving remnant they:
Dreamers who work, adventurers who pray!
In every land wherever might holds sway
The Pilgrims' leaven is at work to-day.

Still must we keep in every stroke and vote
The law of conscience that the Pilgrims wrote;
Our seal their secret: Liberty can be;

The state is freedom if the town is free.

O People's Voice! when farthest thrones shall hear;
When teachers own; when thoughtful rabbis know;
When artist minds in world-wide symbol show;
When serfs and soldiers their mute faces raise;
When priests on grand cathedral altars praise;
When pride and arrogance shall disappear,
The Pilgrims' Vision is accomplished here!

TO THE PUPIL:

1. Copy and memorize the last stanza of "The Landing of the Pilgrims.”

2. Copy the proper nouns you find on page 177.

« PreviousContinue »