Quote#War
What sought they thus afar?
Quote byFelicia Hemans · 1793–1835
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers (1826), Stanza 9..
English (original)
What sought they thus afar? Bright jewels of the mine, The wealth of seas, the spoils of war? They sought a faith's pure shrine.
— Felicia Hemans
More from Felicia Hemans
I had a hat. It was not all a hat,— Part of the brim was gone: Yet still I wore it on.
In the busy haunts of men.
Come to the sunset tree! The day is past and gone; The woodman’s axe lies free, And the reaper’s work is done.
Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north-wind’s breath, And stars to set; but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!
The breaking waves dashed high On a stern and rock-bound coast, And the woods against a stormy sky Their giant branches tossed.
Calm on the bosom of thy God, Fair spirit, rest thee now!