POETRY.
The lonely Spirit of the Earth, Looks forth, and from her secret place Beholds the New Year's birth.
Born in the elemental strife
Of molten five and earthquake shock, She saw the waters teem with life, The land a barren rock.
Long aeons passed, the fruitful seed Of life ascendant clothed the land, On swelling bill and level mead She saw the forests stand.
Then, like some hideous fever-dream,. , • , There rose and fell a monstrous .brood, Grim tyrants of the sballowstrearn, Lords of the.virgin wood.. • Last came—it seems bet yesterday To her, since first his course began— The sceptre of the world to sway, Wild, naked, speechless, Mau, And she has seen with wondering pride His eager, strenuous feet ascend, His strength in weakness magnified, Yet grief with pride must blend.
"For me," she sighs, "the radiant light Of sun and star alike is gloom, Presaging ever in my sight The imminence of doom.
But he,—his lifted face is bold, His heart is strong to do and dare, His eyes a mystic secret bold, A hope I may not share.
Fruit of my womb, some mightier hand Is lifting thee above the sod, To take thy place with those who stand Among the elect of God!"
B. PAUL NEUMAN.
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