Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912.
Richard Hovey 18641900
Richard Hovey247 Unmanifest Destiny
T
And unforeseen of foe or friend,
Beneath what unexpected star,
Compelled to what unchosen end,
The Admiral of Nations guides Thy blind obedient keels to reach The harbor where thy future rides! Knew not that God was planning then The trumpet word of Jefferson To bugle forth the rights of men. What was it but despair and shame? Who saw behind the cloud the sun? Who knew that God was in the flame? Disaster on disaster come, The slave’s emancipated feet Had never marched behind the drum. To mightier issues than we planned, Each son that triumphs, each that bleeds, My country, serves Its dark command. Nor on what seas shall be thy fate; I only know it shall be high, I only know it shall be great.