41. Warmer shines the sun, and April comes. All the people--all whom death has left--are in the houses now, and the Mayflower is ready for the home voyage. They gather at the shore to see the last of her, and send last messages back to the dear home land. Back goes the ship, straight to Old England; yet, with that fearful winter freezing in their memories, scarce fifty of them left to found the lonely settlement, weak yet and worn, not one returns to the easier life at home. The Mayflower disappears on the eastern horizon; the last watcher by the shore is satisfied that she is gone; and then alone, self-governed, self-dependent, free, the sea and wilderness circling close about them, God their Father watching overhead, the Puritans take up their stern life, and in America create New England, _Ellen Coit Brown._ LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS. 42. The breaking waves dashed high On a stern and rock-bound coast, And the woods, against a stormy sky, Their giant branches tossed. 43. And the heavy night hung dark The woods and waters o'er, When a band of exiles moored their bark On the wild New England shore. 44. Not as the conqueror comes, They, the true-hearted, came; Not with the roll of the stirring drums, And the trumpet that speaks of fame; 45. Not as the flying come, In silence and in fear-- They shook the depths of the desert's gloom With their hymns of lofty cheer. 46. Amidst the storm they sang; And the stars heard, and the sea; And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang To the anthem of the free! 47. The ocean eagle soared From his nest by the white wave's foam, And the rocking pines of the forest roared-- This was their welcome home. _Mrs. Hemans_ [Illustration: _Landing of the Pilgrims_] THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 48. Behold! they come--those sainted forms, Unshaken through the strife of storms; Heaven's winter cloud hangs coldly down, And earth puts on its rudest frown; But colder, ruder, was the hand That drove them from their own fair land; Their own fair land--Refinement's chosen seat, Art's trophied dwelling, Learning's green retreat; By Valor guarded and by Victory crowned, For all but gentle Charity renowned. 49. With streaming eye, yet steadfast heart, Even from that land they dared to part, And burst each tender tie; Haunts, where their sunny youth was passed, Homes, where they fondly hoped at last In peaceful age to die. Friends, kindred, comfort, all they spurned, Their fathers' hallowed graves, And to a world of darkness turned, Beyond a world of waves.