The stricken city lifts her head,
With eyes yet dim from flowing tears;
Her heart still throbs with pain unspent,
But hope, triumphant, conquers fears.
With vision calm, she sees her course,
Nor shrinks, though thorny be the way.
Shall human will succumb to fate,
Crushed by the happenings of a day?
The city that we love shall live,
And grow in beauty and in power;
Her loyal sons shall stand erect,
Their chastened courage Heaven's dower.
And when the story shall be told
Of direful ruin, loss, and dearth,
There shall be said with pride and joy:
"But man survived, and proved his worth."
SAN FRANCISCO
O "city loved around the world,"
Triumphant over direful fate,
Thy flag of honor never furled,
Proud guardian of the Golden Gate;
Hold thou that standard from the dust
Of lower ends or doubtful gain;
On thy good sword no taint of rust;
On stars and stripes no blot or stain.
Thy loyal sons by thee shall stand,
Thy highest purpose to uphold;
Proclaim the word, o'er all the land,
That truth more precious is than gold.
Let justice never be denied,
Resist the wrong, defend the right;
Where West meets East stand thou in pride
Of noble life, a beacon-light.
THE NEW YEAR