John Hay - Atavism

O beauteous daughter of a mighty race!
In thy fair features and thy radiant eyes
Like bright clouds floating over brighter skies
The shadows of a glorious past we trace.
Framed in the oval of thy perfect face
Flit the pale belles of bygone centuries;
A hint of lawgivers and jurists lies
In that pure brow where strength is wed with grace.
And looking on thy profile's symmetry
A world-famed face across my memory comes,
'Neath the slouched hat a watching eagle's eye,
Where down the dusty line goes riding by,
With blare of trumpets and hoarse growl of drums,
Tecumseh Sherman marching to the sea.

John Hay

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