To hew the wilderness, and build
The empire from creation willed,
The dreamer in his door would stand,
And gaze upon the river's strand
Until his thoughts would soar and soar
Into the future dim and hoar.
Then in a vision he could see
Pale shadows of the things to be;
And in the city built of mist,
Afloat in tender amethyst,
His own great mansion spread and towered,
And lo! its portal, lotus-flowered
Foretold a lulling life of ease
Amid delightful harmonies;
And then he turned and saw the town
Along the river straggling down,
And sought his cabin with a sigh
To dream of far futurity!
He could not see what force could change
That park of stumps, a rude Stonehenge,
And that wild forest sighing deep
O'er centuries so long asleep,
Into the city he had seen
Portrayed on Fancy's lofty screen.
The empire from creation willed,
The dreamer in his door would stand,
And gaze upon the river's strand
Until his thoughts would soar and soar
Into the future dim and hoar.
Then in a vision he could see
Pale shadows of the things to be;
And in the city built of mist,
Afloat in tender amethyst,
His own great mansion spread and towered,
And lo! its portal, lotus-flowered
Foretold a lulling life of ease
Amid delightful harmonies;
And then he turned and saw the town
Along the river straggling down,
And sought his cabin with a sigh
To dream of far futurity!
He could not see what force could change
That park of stumps, a rude Stonehenge,
And that wild forest sighing deep
O'er centuries so long asleep,
Into the city he had seen
Portrayed on Fancy's lofty screen.
But they who toiled with hand and brain
To open avenues of gain,
And lay the keels and weave the sails
Which some day, with fair Fortunes gales,
Should bring them honor, wealth and ease
From o'er the dim unresting sees,
To open avenues of gain,
And lay the keels and weave the sails
Which some day, with fair Fortunes gales,
Should bring them honor, wealth and ease
From o'er the dim unresting sees,
