At last, dear Fred, our task is done, And time has not been cheated; If we can find a publisher, The work will be completed. 'Twill be to you a monument, Like that which stands at Verdun,— The record of a life well spent, A blessing and a guerdon. The generations yet to be— The coming race of sages— Will think with gratitude of thee, When studying its pages; And say—"Behold. there was a man Who knew all men as brothers, Who followed out the God-like plan Of doing good to others. Deep, broad, and full his life appears, Like our own noble river; With all its days and all its years Replete with high endeavor. He strove for neither wealth nor fame, Nor yet for smiles of beauty, But all to him in fulness came, Who nobly did his duty." Thus, dear old Fred, will future times Be still your friends and neighbors, As I would with imperfect rhymes Do justice to your labors. However, let me, as I can, Declare no time can bury The mem'ry of a noble man— Whose name was Alfred Perry. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BLACK EAGLE RETURNS TO ST. JOE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE TWO SAYINGS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 8 by THOMAS CAMPION WINTER STORES by CHARLOTTE BRONTE |