WISCONSIN
Sound her praise! our noble State,
All her strength to deeds translate,
Prove her shield when danger's nigh,
Read her banner in the sky,
Tell of her in song and story,
All her past with love illume,
Show her present robed in glory,
Promise of a larger bloom.
Morning maid! whose day began
With the nobler life in man,
Sun-crowned souls reveal thy fame,
Sacred hopes thy laws proclaim.
O Father! hear for her our prayer,
Bid her voice Thine own decree,
Let all her growth Thyself declare,
Guard the light supplied by Thee!
MY BEST POEM.
You ask of mine the poem I love best,
And promise it shall have the larger light;
Alas, alas! far, far beyond the rest
I love the poem that I mean to write!