At Carmel by the Sea

(Dedicated to Junipero Serra)

The Cypress Sentinel keeps watch
Upon the rocky ledge,
He waves his gnarled and twisted arms,
The billows splash the edge.
The sea-mew soars and calls her mate,
The seals bask in the lee;
A friendly light warns craft at night
At Carmel by the Sea.

Here lies Junipero Serra
In the Mission in the dell —
San Carlos de Carmela —
Where the fog-bells sound his knell;
He gave us California,
A man of God was he;
The reverent pilgrim bows his head
At Carmel by the Sea.

Five hundred miles of the "King's Highway"
He trod with tireless feet;
And founded missions all the way,
Despite the cold or heat.
He taught the red-man love of Christ —
And all he ought to be,
To glean his gifts from hill and dale
At Carmel by the Sea.

The mission bells a day apart,
Rang out as he passed by
Or heralded his coming;
Blue lakes of Lupin lie
On mountain-side — with lilacs fringed.
Old live-oaks dot the lea,
Along the path-way to the cove
At Carmel by the Sea.

A cross is raised to his memory
On lofty Rubidoux,
Here Easter morn at sunrise,
Blithe anthems, apropos,
Arise from souls, whom love of God
Unites perennially;
They sing of the Christ Fra Serra served
At Carmel by the Sea.