Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PIONEER, by HENRY MEADE BLAND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PIONEER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: With a sigh for the unknown land fevering his
Last Line: To build the state and lift the law for light.
Subject(s): California; Pioneers


With a sigh for the unknown land fevering his brain,
With a pulse as strong as the engine-beat on the rail;
With muscle like blue steel hewn for a ship on the main,
He crossed the Divide, he mastered the wild trail.
No flood of the dark Missouri, no white-hot plain,
Could stay the soul of his yearning, could wreck his dream.
No mountain-storm in its fury, no savage train
Could daunt or defeat: he followed the flying Gleam.
He conquered. Men knew his glory, and followed his sign.
They swarmed, and followed till Earth was full of the tale.
He rose as a hero looms on a battle-line,
When the roads are ruts and the whistling balls a gale.
So was he hardened, heightened, and given his might
To build the State and lift the Law for light.





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