Kent County Poem

KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
BY FRANK H. RUTH, GALENA.

With the dawning of creation, when the earth began to roll
Through the mazes of countless planets, with the Master in control;
When its broad expanse of verdure turned its face first toward the sun,
There was just one little corner that he straight pronounced well done.

There the undulating acres spread themselves in vast array,
With their sparkling streams of nectar lost in clouds of silver spray;
There the sleepy knoll and dingle were the essence of delight.
And the murmur of the breezes crooned the glory of His might.

'Twas a pleasing land ecstatic, just where heaven touched the heath, 
Where the green and gold of nature intermingled in a wreath 
Thro' the woodlands bold and stately, where they crowned the verdant shore 
Of dark meandering rivers now replete with mystic lore.

It was just the spot ideal, where the son of man might roam
With thrills of wild abandon 'neath the blue empyrean dome;
Where he saw in rich profusion all the earth had to display,
In one gorgeous panorama like the charms of Mosellay.

'Twas the masterpiece primeval, of the great creative God; 
Once the rendezvous of angels, when its heather was untrod. 
"The hidden soul of harmony," where the lotus brewed its spice, 
In lordly, proud magnificence stood the world's lone paradise.

Now that favored land elysian to our vision yet appears, 
As the ages turn their pages after twice ten thousand years; 
'Tis the same today as ever - still a land of sweet content, 
Still the pearl to which man's pleasure has affixed the name of Kent.

Ah! those perfumes so delicious where the living roses blow,
Where the moons are more effulgent, where the suns more kindly glow,
Where her solitudes will lull you into dreams of Eden's bow'r,
And a world of wonders greet you in the cycle of an hour.

Yes, she blooms today as ever in her robes of green and gold, 
Whilst the splendors of her raiment will remain for aye untold; 
'Tis to see this "Isle of Beauty," feel her ozone in your veins, 
Feel the tingle of enchantment as you scan her fair domain.

Then you'll realize what blessings are about you to enjoy,
Not a shadow of disquiet to discourage or annoy;
Here you'll see man's art has failed him to enhance one single charm,
And the dream of life has centered 'bout "an old Kent County farm."

'Bout her bayous, coves and meadows - 'bout each pebble on her strand - 
'Bout the wind scarped bluffs and headlands where the Chester laves her sand, 
Where the moonglades are Idyllic, where the loveleis entrance, 
Where the whole is an oasis and a perfect necromance.

'Tis the scene of joys exquisite, lulling life's sojourn away, 
Blissful rhapsodies of pleasure in an endless roundelay 
Lull the soul to dreamy fancy, into reverie and muse - 
Oh, ye gods! what have you better to enthrall man - to enthuse?

Seek sequestered vale and mountain, tread the globe from pole to pole, 
Not one spot like "Old Kent County" has the charm to reach the soul. 
'Tis the bourne at which men marvel, 'tis the one supremely blest, 
'Tis the "fairest of ten thousand" and of God's creation - BEST.

SOURCE: Page(s) 13, History of Kent County, Maryland, 1630-1916, by Fred G. Usilton, 1916
Transcribed by Nathan Zipfel for the Maryland History and Genealogy Project