Break forth in song, ye trees, <br />As, through your tops, the breeze <br />Sweeps from the sea! <br />For, on its rushing wings, <br />To your cool shades and springs, <br />That breeze a people brings, <br />Exiled though free. <br /> <br /> <br />Ye sister hills, lay down <br />Of ancient oaks your crown, <br />In homage due;- <br />These are the great of earth, <br />Great, not by kingly birth, <br />Great in their well proved worth, <br />Firm hearts and true. <br /> <br /> <br />These are the living lights, <br />That from your bold, green heights, <br />Shall shine afar, <br />Till they who name the name <br />Of Freedom, toward the flame <br />Come, as the Magi came <br />Toward Bethlehem's star. <br /> <br /> <br />Gone are those great and good, <br />Who here, in peril, stood <br />And raised their hymn. <br />Peace to the reverend dead! <br />The light, that on their head <br />Two hundred years have shed, <br />Shall ne'er grow dim. <br /> <br /> <br />Ye temples, that to God <br />Rise where our fathers trod, <br />Guard well your trust,- <br />The faith, that dared the sea, <br />The truth, that made them free, <br />Their cherished purity, <br />Their garnered dust. <br /> <br /> <br />Thou high and holy One, <br />Whose care for sire and son <br />All nature fills, <br />While day shall break and close, <br />While night her crescent shows, <br />O, let thy light repose <br />On these our hills.<br /><br />John Pierpont<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hymns-and-odes-viii/
