Urbs Coronata

Read 'Urbs Coronata' by 'Henry Van Dyke' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Urbs Coronata by Henry Van Dyke

 (Song for the City College of New York) 

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

"Weave me no palace-wreath of pride,"
The royal city said;
"Nor forge an iron fortress-wall
To frown upon my head;
But let me wear a diadem
Of Wisdom's towers instead." 

And so upon her island height
She worked her will forsooth,
She set upon her rocky brow
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 they thought for you, 
And all the hopes they brought for you,
And be the City's Crown.

Form: Ode

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