Urbs Coronata

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Title:     Urbs Coronata
Author: Henry Van Dyke [More Titles by Van Dyke]

(Song for the City College of New York)

O youngest of the giant brood
Of cities far-renowned;
In wealth and glory thou hast passed
Thy rivals at a bound;
Thou art a mighty queen, New York;
And how wilt thou be crowned?

"Weave me no palace-wreath of Pride,"
The royal city said;
"Nor forge of frowning fortress-walls
A helmet for my head;
But let me wear a diadem
Of Wisdom's towers instead."

She bowed herself, she spent herself,
She wrought her will forsooth,
And set upon her island height
A citadel of Truth,
A house of Light, a home of Thought,
A shrine of noble Youth.

Stand here, ye City College towers,
And look both up and down;
Remember all who wrought for you
Within the toiling town;
Remember all their hopes for you,
And _be_ the City's Crown.

June, 1908.

[The end]
Henry Van Dyke's poem: Urbs Coronata

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