The Burns centenary poems Author:George Anderson Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: III. Song. By GERALD MASSEY. OF THE SIX RECOMMENDED FOR PURLICATION RY THB JUDtiES AT THK CRYSTAL PALACE COMPETITION. A VAGRANT Wild Flow'r, sown of... more » God, out in the waste was born; Tt sprang up as a Corn-flow'r in the golden fields of Corn: The Corn all strong and stately in its bearded bravery grew,— Gathered the gold for harvest-time—grew ripe in sun and dew; And when it bowed the head—as Wind and Shadow ran their race, Like influences from Heaven come to Earth for playing place— It seem'd to look down on the Flower as in a smiling scorn, Poor thing, you grow no food, no grain for garner! said the Com. The lonely Flow'r still bloomed its best, contented with its place, God's blessing fell upon it as it lookt up in his face! And there they grew together till the white-winged Reapers came— The Sickles shining in their hands, their faces were aflame! The Cor n they reapt for earthly use, but an Augel fell in love With that wild Flow'r, and wore it at the Harvest-home above. A hundred years ago this morn he came our human way, And we would change the crown of thorn for healing leaves to-day; Alas! that we can only wreathe the cold white Marble's brow; Though loud we speak or low we breathe, we cannot reach him He loved us all! he loved so much! his love the world could hold, And now the whole wide world with such a love would round him fold. 'Tis long and late before it wakes so, yet a true world still, It hath a heart so large, it takes a century to fill! Ay, tell the wondrous tale, while songs are sung and warm words said! Tell how he wore the hodden grey, and won sweat-sweetened bread; A wintry welcome at the door did greet him to his lot, Our royal Minstrel of the Poor hid in an old Clay Cot . And rough, and wild, and...« less