Under the high unclouded sun <br />That makes the ship and shadow one, <br />I sail away as from the fort <br />Booms sullenly the noonday gun. <br /> <br />The odorous airs blow thin and fine, <br />The sparkling waves like emeralds shine, <br />The lustre of the coral reefs <br />Gleams whitely through the tepid brine. <br /> <br />And glitters o'er the liquid miles <br />The jewelled ring of verdant isles, <br />Where generous Nature holds her court <br />Of ripened bloom and sunny smiles. <br /> <br />Encinctured by the faithful seas <br />Inviolate gardens lead the breeze, <br />Where flaunt like giant-warders' plumes <br />The pennants of the cocoa-trees. <br /> <br />Enthroned in light and bathed in balm, <br />In lonely majesty the Palm <br />Blesses the isles with waving hands, <br />High-Priest of the eternal Calm. <br /> <br />Yet Northward with an equal mind <br />I steer my course, and leave behind <br />The rapture of the Southern skies, <br />The wooing of the Southern wind. <br /> <br />For here o'er Nature's wanton bloom <br />Falls far and near the shade of gloom, <br />Cast from the hovering vulture-wings <br />Of one dark thought of woe and doom. <br /> <br />I know that in the snow-white pines <br />The brave Norse fire of freedom shines, <br />And fain for this I leave the land <br />Where endless summer pranks the vines. <br /> <br />O strong, free North, so wise and brave! <br />O South, too lovely for a slave! <br />Why read ye not the changeless truth, <br />The free can conquer but to save? <br /> <br />May God upon these shining sands <br />Send Love and Victory clasping hands, <br />And Freedom's banners wave in peace <br />Forever o'er the rescued lands! <br /> <br />And here, in that triumphant hour, <br />Shall yielding Beauty wed with Power; <br />And blushing earth and smiling sea <br />In dalliance deck the bridal bower. <br /> <br />Key West, 1864.<br /><br />John Hay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/northward/
