On Crossing the Alleghanies

On Crossing the Alleghanies

THE broad - the bright - the glorious west
Is spread before me now!
Where the gray mists of morning rest
Beneath you mountain's brow:
The bound is past - the gaol is won-
The region of the setting sun
Is open to my view;
Land of the valiant and the free,
Mine own Green Mountain land - to thee
And thine, a long adieu!

I hail thee, valley of the west,
For what thou yet shalt be!
I hail thee, for the hopes that rest
Upon thy destiny!
Here, from the mountain height, I see
Thy bright waves floating to the sea,
Thine emerald fields outspread,
And feel that, in the book of fame,
Proudly shall thy recorded name
In latter days be road.

Yet, while I gaze upon thee now,
All glorious as thou art,
A cloud is resting on my brow -
A weight upon my heart;
To me, in all thy youthful pride,
Thou art a land of cares untried,
Of untold hopes and fears;
Thou art - but not for thee I grieve,
But for the far off and I leave,
I look on thee with fears!

O brightly - brightly glow thy skies
In summer's sunny hours!
Thy green earth seems a Paradise
Arrayed in summer flowers!
But O! There is a land afar
Whose skies to me are brighter far,
Along the Atlantic shore;
For eyes, beneath their radiant shrine,
In kindlier glances answer mine-
Can these their light restore?

Upon the lofty bound I stand,
That parts the east and west;
Before me lies a fairy land -
Behind, a home of rest.
Here hope her wild enchantment flings,
Portrays all bright and lovely things,
My footsteps to allure -
But there, in memory's light I see
All that was once most dear to me -
My young heart's Cyonsure!

1:51, p. 4

1837.12.23