University of California 
 
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CALIFORNIA'S CHAIN OF MISSIONS. 
 
 BY CARRIE B. RICE. 
 ILLUSTRATED BY MABEL E. RICE. 
 
 **vrCBfi ."*. O *jf n da&s.of yore, the Monks who came into the 
 
 lonely West, 
 First raised the cross in some bright glen, or on 
 
 a hilly crest, 
 And swung their bells from ancient oaks to call 
 
 red men to prayer, 
 While heads were bowed to chant the mass out 
 
 in God's open air. 
 
 From sea-girt San Diego to the open Gate of Gold, 
 Runs a chain of ruined Missions now, adobe shrines of 
 
 old, 
 Once the bells in chiming cadence told the solemn 
 
 hour of prayer, 
 While incense rose in perfumed clouds upon the quiet 
 
 air. 
 
 The silent tongues of brazen bells still hang in belfry 
 
 towers, 
 Now hushed the echoing notes that tell of holy angelus 
 
 hours, 
 When all must bow and cross themselves, must count 
 
 their beads and pray, 
 In morning hours, in noontide heat and at each close 
 
 of day. 
 
With beads untold, the padres lie in white-robed 
 
 solitude, 
 Sleeping the sleep that endeth not, in tangled f J 
 
 church-yard rude, 'J' 
 
 Where shadows of low arches gray, and dim '; 
 
 arcades repose, 
 The mustard and the lily white and golden poppy 
 
 blows. 
 
 The grape vine and green ivy creep on trellis 
 
 and on wall, 
 Sweet fragrant breath of roses greets the 
 
 feathery peppers tall, 
 The curved stone benches yet remain, beneath 
 
 the palm trees shade, 
 But broken now the turn-stile gate where 
 
 crystal fountains played. 
 
 Then cross the emerald pastures and the smiling 
 
 meadow land, 
 To where the relic-hunter has laid his plundering 
 
 hand ; 
 While traveling in this sunset land, in health or 
 
 pleasure quest, 
 Whate'er you miss, fail not to see these abbeys 
 
 of the West. 
 
 Then restore the pristine beauty of these land 
 marks old and gray, 
 
 That Spanish fathers cherished, now fast falling 
 to decay, 
 
 Though of another faith, 'tis true, we'll evermore 
 revere, 
 
 Storm-beaten walls that crumble, red -tiled 
 cloisters they held dear. 
 
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 U. C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 CDSS3312S3