Melville Madison Bigelow (1846–1921)

HEART of the worlds! thy mighty pulses beat

Upon the furthest planet’s untrod shore;

They gild the surges of old seas that roar

Beyond man’s power to pierce their safe retreat.

Great Heart! and yet thy morning pulse-beams greet

The little rose a-tint with blushes o’er.

See! spreads his wings the youngling lark, to soar

Amid thy quickening radiance, vast but sweet.

Beat on, O Heart! on planet and on sea;

Beat on, though tuneless Silence fill thy course,—

E’en Silence fain would raise a note to thee,—

But paint the smiling flowers, and fill, O Source

Of gladsome life, the answering birds with glee,

While joy-bells in my soul ring merrily.