English Poetry. Henry Van Dyke. Francis Makemie. Генри Ван Дайк.

Henry Van Dyke (Генри Ван Дайк)

Francis Makemie

(Presbyter of Christ in Americas 1683-1708) 

To thee, plain hero of a rugged race,
We bring the meed of praise too long delayed!
Thy fearless word and faithful work have made 
For God’s Republic firmer path and place
In this New World: thou hast proclaimed the grace
And power of Christ in many a forest glade,
Teaching the truth that leaves men unafraid 
Of frowning tyranny or death’s dark face. 

Oh, who can tell how much we owe to thee,
Makemie, and to labour such as thine,
For all that makes America the shrine
Of faith untrammeled and of conscience free?
Stand here, grey stone, and consecrate the sod
Where rests this brave Scotch-Irish man of God!

Henry Van Dyke’s other poems:

1. The Statue of Sherman by St. Gaudens
2. The Wind of Sorrow
3. Spring in the South
4. Patria
5. Hide and Seek

To the dedicated English version of this website

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