Richard Realf

"His eyes All radiant with glad surprise, Looked forward through the Centuries And saw the seeds which sages cast In the world’s soil in cycles past Spring up and blossom at the last; Saw how the souls of men had grown, And where the scythes of Truth had mown Clear space for Liberty’s white throne; Saw how, by sorrow tried and proved, The blackening stains had been removed Forever from the land he loved; Saw Treason crushed and Freedom crowned, And clamorous Faction, gagged and bound, Gasping its life out on the ground."