Strength from the Hills

COME up unto the hills- thy strength is there.

Oh, though hast tarried long,

Too long, amid the bowers and blossoms fair,

With notes of summer song.

Why dost thou tarry there? what though the bird

Pipes matin in the vale-

The plough-boy whistles to the loitering herd,

As the red daylights fail-

Yet come unto the hills, the old strong hills,

And leave the stagnant plain;

Come to the gushing of the newborn rills,

As sing they to the main;

And thou with denizens of power shalt dwell,

Beyond demeaning care;

Composed upon his rock, mid storm and fell,

The eagle shall be there.

Come up unto the hills: the shattered tree

Still clings unto the rock,

And flingeth out his branches wild and free,

To dare again the shock.

Come where no fear is known: the seabird's nest

On the old hemlock swings,

And thou shalt taste the gladness of unrest,

And mount upon thy wings.

Come up unto the hills. The men of old,

They of undaunted wills,

Grew jubilant of heart, and strong, and bold,

On the enduring hills-

Where came the soundings of the sea afar,

Borne upward to the ear,

And nearer grew the moon and midnight star,

And God himself more near.

Elizabeth Oakes-Smith

Index to poems in the collection by Elizabeth Oakes-Smith