Versos English Laura Ann Young Pinney THE captain paused, and raised his hand...

English poem

THE captain paused, and raised his hand...

by (1849–1943)

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THE captain paused, and raised his hand "See yonder halls, that, tower-crowned Arise amid the forest grand, 'Tis California's college ground And here her youth of every class May come and thro' those portals pass."

Fair Berkeley! nestling 'neath the hills Beside a calm and sparkling bay, We loitered long beside its rills, In flowery paths, that led away To shady nooks, where might be seen Fair bowers—fit shrines for wisdom's queen.

From classic halls we turned away To gaze upon a poet's home; 'Twas near the close of that bright day, And golden sunlight on it shone; Perfume of flowers, and birds' songs low A witching spell about us throw.

And "Songs of the Sierras" there, With new sweet charms fell on the ear; Those rhythmic notes came softer where The singer's presence was so near— Again, we seemed to hear him say, As light our boat rocked on the bay:

"For surely godland lies not far From these Greek heights and this great sea; My friend, my lover trend this way, Not far along lies Arcady."—Joaquin Miller.

And when the sun went down, outside The Golden Gate, we followed, too, And sought again the ocean wide, The while the scenes that charmed our view Were 'graven on our hearts for aye, Sweet visions of an autumn day!

And though our bark in other climes May loose again its snowy sail, Our hearts with joy will oftentimes These isles, these shores, this mount and vale Recall, and bless that kindly fate That led Within the Golden Gate.