When the earth
Sang for joy to hail his birth,
Over the hill-tops, faint and far,
Glimmered the light of Freedom’s star.
Only a poor, pale torch it seemed—
Dimly from out the clouds it gleamed—
Oft to the watcher’s eye ’twas lost
Like a flame by fierce winds rudely tossed.
Scarce could Earth
Catch one ray when she hailed his birth!