Mother Earth

Earth, thou ancient cradle, rocking Creation!
Earth, old mother of man, man whose lips
Have pressed thy breast since Time.
Earth, reproachless, ope-armed mother!
Upon whose breast man hath laid his sorrow
And his joy, forever, aye, and aye.
Earth, the birth-bed of his hopes,
And the grave of his desires.
Earth, for man's derilement giving silence,
Earth, for his exultation
Offering still another sup!
Earth, pledge-keeper with God in his silence.
What a puny thing is man to thank!