Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.

Western States: St. Louis, Mo.

St. Louis

By Frank Foy

ONCE more I give an idle song to thee,

Fair city sitting by the waters wide.

Forever with thy people shall abide

Honor and peace, in every home shall be

A hope made stronger by adversity,

And they, those mighty men, who at thy side

Now lead thee doubtful onward, they shall guide

Thy feet into the golden age to be.

O thou that art to rule the empired west,

Be strong, and labor,—labor for the gold

Of after greatness! though the voice of them

Who envy thee be loud, still, undistrest,

Mind well the time when they shall all behold

The light of thine imperial diadem.