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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PIONEER, by HENRY MEADE BLAND Poet's Biography First Line: With a sigh for the unknown land fevering his Last Line: To build the state and lift the law for light. Subject(s): California; Pioneers | |||
With a sigh for the unknown land fevering his brain, With a pulse as strong as the engine-beat on the rail; With muscle like blue steel hewn for a ship on the main, He crossed the Divide, he mastered the wild trail. No flood of the dark Missouri, no white-hot plain, Could stay the soul of his yearning, could wreck his dream. No mountain-storm in its fury, no savage train Could daunt or defeat: he followed the flying Gleam. He conquered. Men knew his glory, and followed his sign. They swarmed, and followed till Earth was full of the tale. He rose as a hero looms on a battle-line, When the roads are ruts and the whistling balls a gale. So was he hardened, heightened, and given his might To build the State and lift the Law for light. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM JAY SMITH THE BALLAD OF WILLIAM SYCAMORE (1790-1880) by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET ON THE EMIGRATION TO AMERICA AND PEOPLING WESTERN COUNTRY by PHILIP FRENEAU SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: RUTHERFORD MCDOWELL by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CROSSING THE PLAINS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER WESTWARD HO! by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER FACE TO FACE by ADRIENNE CECILE RICH THE SETTLER: AMERICA IN THE MAKING by ALFRED BILLINGS STREET THE FOUNDERS OF OHIO by WILLIAM HENRY VENABLE SUNRISE OVER THE SIERRAS by HENRY MEADE BLAND CHARLOTTE CORDAY (REVOLUTIONARY TRIBUNAL, JULY 17, 1793) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |
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