Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79. | | | | Introductory to New England | | Rhode Island | | Charlotte Fiske Bates (1838–1916) |
| | | FROM that far island in the midland sea, | |
| Where Rhodian art wrought out the world’s surprise, | |
| Did our own Eden island’s name arise, | |
| And then, at last, the State’s it grew to be. | |
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| Loved of all generous souls her Founder’s name; | 5 |
| And forth from her what stalwart men have sprung! | |
| Gallant in battle, eloquent of tongue, | |
| Philanthropist and soldier give her fame. | |
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| Of seven and thirty, this the smallest State, | |
| And yet how powerful and how populous! | 10 |
| Where will and deed, like hers, are valorous, | |
| To narrow bounds is set how large a fate! | |
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| No steadier brilliance has been thrown afar | |
| Throughout our history’s every darkest night | |
| Than hers,—how lustrous and how wide her light, | 15 |
| Though of the Nation’s cluster, smallest star! | | | | |
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