Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WASHINGTON! FEB. 22, 1732, by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Bright natal morn! What face appears Last Line: Where'er thou rulest, -- washington! Subject(s): Presidents, United States; Washington, George (1732-1799) | ||||||||
BRIGHT natal morn! what face appears Beyond the rolling mist of years? -- A face whose loftiest traits combine All virtues of a stainless line Passed from leal sire to loyal son; The face of him whose steadfast zeal Drew harmonies of law and right From chaos and anarchic night: Who with a power serene as Fate's Wrought from rude hordes of turbulent States The grandeur of our commonweal: -- All hail! all hail! to Washington! Freedom he wooed in such brave guise, Men gazing in her luminous eyes Beheld all heaven reflected shine Far down those sapphire orbs divine: And, worshipped her so chastely won; If still she panted, fresh from strife, And blood-stains flecked her garment's rim, They could not make its whiteness dim; For, shed by hearts sublimely true, Such drops are changed to sacred dew. The chrism of patriot light and life, -- Baptizing first our Washington. For cloudless years, benignant still. This Freedom worked her bounteous will; -- Mingling with homespun man and maid, Her pale cheek caught a browner shade In fields where harvest toils were done; To theirs she tuned her rhythmie tongue Veiling in part her goddess-mien: The woman smiled above the queen; While stationed always by her side, Men saw -- as bridegroom near his bride, (O bride, forever fair and young!) -- Her chosen hero -- Washington! She wove for him a civic crown; She made so pure his hale renown, All glories of the antique days, Waned in the clear, immaculate blaze Poured from his nature's noontide sun; No slave of folly's catchword school, His instincts proud of blood and race She tempered with sweet, human grace, Till his broad being's rounded flow Sea-like, embraced the high and low, Swayed by the golden-sceptred rule, The equal will of Washington. His influence spread so wide and deep, Earth's fettered millions stirred in sleep; And murmurs born of wakening flame On the wild winds of twilight came From lands by despot-swarms o'errun; They too would win the priceless boon Of Freedom's dower; -- they too would see, And clasp the robes of Liberty; But, throned within the virgin west, She heard them not; -- she loved to rest In dew-lit dawn and tranquil noon, Next the strong heart of Washington! Through shower and sun the seasons rolled, November's gray and April's gold; They only raised (more calmly grand) His genius of supreme command, Whose course, in blood and wrath begun, Grew gentler, as the mellowing lights Of peace made beauteous sky and sod; His evening came; -- he walked with God; And down life's gradual sunset-slope, He hearkened to a heavenly hope; -- "Look up! behold the fadeless heights Which rise to greet thee, -- Washington!" He dies! the nations hold their breath! He dies! but is he thrall to Death? -- Thousands who quaff earth's sunshine free, Are less alive on earth than he; Lacking that power which thrills through none But God's elect, that winged spell Which like miraculous lightning darts Electric to all noble hearts; -- Flashed from his soul's sublimer sphere, 'Tis still a matchless influence here! Majestic spirit! all is well, Where'er thou rulest, -- Washington! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE LOSS OF HIS TEETH by DIANE WAKOSKI GEORGE WASHINGTON by JOHN HALL INGHAM PATRIOTIC POEM by DIANE WAKOSKI HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON by PHILLIS WHEATLEY THE VOW OF WASHINGTON by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780] by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL by CLARA BECK GEORGE WASHINGTON by LAURA REW BIXBY A STORM IN THE DISTANCE (AMONG THE GEORGIAN HILLS) by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE |
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