More proudly on thy winding course,
Dark Alleghany! flow;
The noblest burden thou couldst bear
Is on thy waters now.
But calm be every turbid wave,
And hushed be wind and storm:
There lies a Nation's destiny
Within that gallant form.
A spirit that shall stem a tide
More deep and dark than thine;
That on a night of War shall bid
The star of Victory shine.
A spirit that through coming time
Shall bear a hallowed name;
The glory of old conquerors
Shall pale before his fame.
And young Ambition on his course
Shall turn his eagle eye;
And men invoke his sainted shade
In threat'ning anarchy.
No baleful meteor shall he be,
To dazzle from afar;
But in the firmament of Fame
A fixed, a polar star!