Chicago! by this inland sea In the land of Lincoln, in the state Of souls who held the nation's fate, City both old and young, I consecrate Your future years to truth and liberty. Be this the record frail and incomplete Of one who saw you, mingled with the masses Along these magical mountain passes With restless yet with hopeful feet. Could they return to see you who have slept These fifty years, who laid your first foundations! And oh! could we behold you who have kept Their promises for you, when new generations Shall walk this boulevard made fair In chiseled marble, looking at the lake Of clearer water under a bluer air. We who shall sleep then nor awake, Have left the labor to you and the care Ask great fulfillment, for ourselves a prayer! THE WEDDING FEAST Said the chief of the marriage feast to the groom, Whence is this blood of the vine? Men serve at first the best, he said, And at the last, poor wine. Said the chief of the marriage feast to the groom, When the guests have drunk their fill They drink whatever wine you serve, Nor know the good from the ill. How have you kept the good till now When our hearts nor care nor see? Said the chief of the marriage feast to the groom, Whence may this good wine be? Said the chief of the marriage feast, this wine Is the best of all by far. Said the groom, there stand six jars without And the wine fills up each jar. Said the chief of the marriage feast, we lacked Wine for the wedding feast. How comes it now one jar of wine To six jars is increased? Who makes our cup to overflow? And who has the wedding blest? Said the groom to the chief of the feast, a stranger Is here as a wedding guest. Said the groom to the chief of the wedding feast, Moses by power divine Smote water at Meribah from the rock, But this man makes us wine. Said the groom to the chief of the wedding feast, Elisha by power divine Made oil for the widow to sell for bread, But this man, wedding wine. He changed the use of the jars, he said, From an outward rite and sign: Where water stood for the washing of feet, For heart's delight there's wine. So then 'tis he, said the chief of the feast, Who the wedding feast has blest? Said the groom to the chief of the feast, the stranger Is the merriest wedding guest. He laughs and jests with the wedding guests, He drinks with the happy bride. Said the chief of the wedding feast to the groom, Go bring him to my side. Jesus of Nazareth came up, And his body was fair and slim. Jesus of Nazareth came up, And his mother came with him.