FOREFATHERS' ROCK.
["The vessel landed in December at a place that has since obtained the name of Forefathers' Rock, The first person that stepped out of the boat upon the rock, is said to have been a girl of the name of Mary Chilton."]
Parley's Tales.
Before thee a wilderness, stretching wide—
Behind thee was ocean, strong in pride!
Did not thy heart within thee fail,
Fair girl of England! thy cheek turn pale,
When, ocean-dangers o'ercome and past,
Thou didst find but a dreary home at last?
When, weary of waves and the water's roar,
Thou didst long for the dark green earth once more.
The wild birds' song, and the quiet breeze,
And the peaceful hum of the distant seas,—
For the vine-clad cottage beside the spring,
And the songs which thy childhood loved to sing?
Behind thee was ocean, strong in pride!
Did not thy heart within thee fail,
Fair girl of England! thy cheek turn pale,
When, ocean-dangers o'ercome and past,
Thou didst find but a dreary home at last?
When, weary of waves and the water's roar,
Thou didst long for the dark green earth once more.
The wild birds' song, and the quiet breeze,
And the peaceful hum of the distant seas,—
For the vine-clad cottage beside the spring,
And the songs which thy childhood loved to sing?
In fancy I oft have pictured thee,
Young traveler over a bounding sea,
Standing upon an unknown shore,
The waves behind thee, the wilds before,
Young traveler over a bounding sea,
Standing upon an unknown shore,
The waves behind thee, the wilds before,
