Thou art a giant altar, where the Earth <br />Must needs send up her thanks to Him above <br />Who did create her. Nature cometh here <br />To lay its offerings upon thy shrine. <br />The morning and the evening shower down <br />Bright jewels, -- changeful opals, em'ralds fair. <br />The burning noon sends floods of molten gold, <br />The calm night crowns thee with its host of stars, <br />The moon enfolds thee with her silver veil, <br />And o'er thee e'er is arched the rainbow's span, -- <br />The gorgeous marriage-ring of Earth and Heaven. <br />While ever from the holy altar grand <br />Ascends the incense of the mist and spray, <br />That mounts to God with thy wild roar of praise<br /><br />Emma Lazarus<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/niagara-3/
