FROM THE BRIDGE

HELD and thrilled by the vision

I stood, as the twilight died,

Where the great bridge soars like a song

Over the crawling tide —

Stood on the middle arch —

And night flooded in from the bay,

And wonderful under the stars

Before me the city lay;

Girdled with swinging waters —

Guarded by ship on ship —

A gem that the strong old ocean

Held in his giant grip;

There was play of shadows above

And drifting gleams below,

And magic of shifting waves

That darkle and glance and glow;

Dusky and purple and splendid,

Banded with loops of light,

The tall towers rose like pillars,

Lifting the dome of night;

The gliding cars of traffic

Slid swiftly up and down

Like monsters, fiery mailed,

Leaping across the town.

Not planned with a thought of beauty;

Built by a lawless breed;

Builded of lust for power,

Builded of gold and greed.

Risen out of the trader's

Brutal and sordid wars —

And yet, behold! a city

Wonderful under the stars!