Kings County Vignettes
The Dykes of Acadie
by John Frederic Herbin
O marshes green, the dykes of Acadie,
I have been nursed upon your ancient breast,
And taught your patience and your heart's calm rest,
Your large content and fine serenity!
How many lessons have you given me;
Until reborn to deeper life, and blest,
You made me strong for every season's test;
And all I am, O dykes of Acadie!
So would I live your life of growing days,
Absorbing all, and giving all the gains;
Accepting skies that shine, or snow, or shower;
To lift like any blade of grass that plays
In sun and breeze; to age like you, dear plains,
The better to be young with fruit and flower.
John Frederic Herbin had a great love for this area of Nova Scotia and his appreciation of its beauty is poignantly expressed in his poetry and novels. He wrote a History of Grand Pré and was the main promoter of the Grand Pré Memorial Park.