Finis Coronat Opus

O’er dark horizon, gath’ring clouds Mount high to reach the sun, And dim the rays that touch the ground As swift they travel on. As blacker looms the angry mount And grey grow lands below, Within the bank of stormy cloud Flash lights that spark and glow. And after blinding lantern’s glow, A roar of thunder’s clap As though ‘twere fire from cannon’s bore O’er shaded earth so black. Then torrents pour upon the land, The floods their banks o’erflow As angry storm casts down its hand To water earth below. So grumbling mountain drifts along, Its rage and violence spent; Behind it lies a fresh land, strewn  With life renewed again.

See yonder cliff, that frowns upon The vale below its crest? Mark well how treach’rous winds along The path a man must tread. Beneath the shade of glow’ring rock, Swift river cuts through stone Along its never-ceasing track To cataracts below. Great hazard waits for trav’ler bold On yonder hill so grim;  Heed caution’s word as you behold  How many met their end. Now! Climb yon mountain, crest yon cliff! Be bold and resolute! Mere rock and stone are nothing if Your strength and step are true. So plant your flag on mountain peak, Above the rocks and runs, O’er cataracts and pathways steep That you have overcome. Photo of Lover's Leap Trail, Hot Springs, North Carolina

Why so do mem’ries linger on In broken mind of shaded gloom Long past the point of glimm’ring dawn, As heartache ‘round them looms? Fair thoughts of distant times now gone Like summer’s breeze ‘neath golden haze, Or sparrow’s song at break of dawn, Yet linger in my gaze. Alas, such thoughts a dagger raise ‘Gainst hopes and dreams of future bright And lay young dreams in mouldy grave ‘Ere fancy takes its flight. For memories are but gone and past, A shade of that which might have been, And now, are naught, and cannot last; They, too, must meet an end.

Beware, young knight, as on your path You march to battle grim, That keep you strictly to the last The trail, as light grows dim. For sundown’s shade brings many ill To tempt your foot away From purpose firm, and steadfast will, And lead you swift astray. Dark faes have long o’ertook the way, And trav’lers oft they snare With fairest speech they soon bear sway, But lead to hopeless lair. So steel your mind and grasp your sword And keep your feet aright, Lest darkness fall and cunning words Keep you in shaded night.

Rise up, ye sons of greater sires! Hark, in their graves they moan and turn, As witness they a world that burns While slumber takes their heirs. Rise up, ye sons of greater sires! Rouse now and lift your eyes from sleep, From fancies fair and daydreams sweet, And answer to the call. Rise up, ye sons of greater sires! Too long have thus ye lain amid The embers of their world, alit While here you so repose. Rise up, ye sons of greater sires! Take hold your swords, cast off your fear; March forth to war, year after year, ’Til vict’ry you obtain. Rise up, ye sons of greater sires! Your fathers ancient call you forth To battle hard and prove your birth, And valor’s crown to gain.