My Country.
Reading edition
By W. D. Porter, S. C.
I.
Go, read the stories of the great and free, The nations on the long, bright roll of fame, Whose noble rage has baffled the decree Of tyrants to despoil their life and name;
II.
Whose swords have flashed like lightning in the eyes Of robber despots, glorying in their might, And taught the world, by deeds of high emprise, The power of truth and sacredness of right:
III.
Whose people, strong to suffer and endure, In faith have wrestled till the blessing came, And won through woes a victory doubly sure, As martyr wins his crown through blood and flame.
IV.
The purest virtue has been sorest tried, Nor is there glory without patient toil; And he who woos fair Freedom for his bride, Through suffering must be purged of stain and soil.
V.
My country! in this hour of trial sore, When in the balance trembling hangs thy fate, Brace thy great heart with courage to the core, Nor let one jot of faith or hope abate!
IV.
The world's bright eye is fixed upon thee still; Life, honor, fame--these all are in the scale: Endure! endure! endure! with iron will, And by the truth of heaven, thou shalt not fail!
Patriot and Mountaineer.