104
A NOON-DAY DREAM.
I.
First came a glittering, spotless car that bore A graceful form, with ready spear in rest:Beneath her feet swung stars of gleaming ore; Her broad shield clasped upon her snowy breast;The laurel hung about her temples fair And trailed its leaves down through her floating hair.I bent in reverence before the great And royal emblem of our Sovereign State.
II.
This passed, another came; more lovely seemed This second vision to my dreaming eye.I saw a mountain, and wild waters streamed In rushing brightness, dashing madly by.A hero stood amid his warriors true; A holy priest his cross and vestment bore—This lordly man, De Soto, well I knew, Planting the cross on Mississippi's shore.
III.
The sunlight fell across the fragrant lea, As on and on the spotless pageant came;
