Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OUR TWENTY-SIX PRESIDENTS IN RHYME, by JOHN NELSON DAVIDSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OUR TWENTY-SIX PRESIDENTS IN RHYME, by                    
First Line: First is a name the world reveres
Last Line: To end our rhyme.
Subject(s): Presidents, United States


FIRST is a name the world reveres,
He led through years of hopes and fears, —
Our Washington, of wondrous fame.

Then Adams came, of humbler name.
He first Vice-President had been,
And 'mid war's din had helped to win
In kings' courts place for nations new.
His heart was true when friends were few.

Four years he steered the ship of state
Through danger great, for France so late
Our country's friend had foe become.
"The warships come!" men said, while some
As sentinels upon the land
From him so grand await command, —
From Washington, the army's chief.
Whose service brief (as seemed to grief)
Had end amid this vexing strife, —
Had end with life while tears of wife
And nation followed to his rest
The one called best. He stood life's test.
Mark this of Adams: First was he
To dwell where we by wise decree
Built our new nation's capital, —
That pride of all; may it never fall!

Two terms, you know, had Washington,
Adams but one; his service done
Plain Thomas Jefferson held sway.
This we may say, he had his way,
In adding to our nation great
A realm where state is piled on state: —
What was to France, land of romance,
He bought, thus showed prophetic glance.

Eight years had passed; and war-cloud dark,
With lightning's spark for all to mark,
Hung over our Atlantic seas.
The realm to please, her fears to ease,
James Madison his duty found.
Soon came war's sound and deadly wound.

Monroe next ruled; our land was blest.
Great grew the West; as honored guest
Came Lafayette the land to see
He helped to free, — for you and me!

Another Adams next held sway,
Then one grown gray in war's fierce way:
The sturdy Jackson whose command
Smote treason's hand in erring land.

Van Buren next was nation's guide,
Then one who died while yet untried
In his great office — Harrison.
Soon set his sun, his duty done.

Then Tyler served; next, James K. Polk,
When war awoke with deadly stroke.

Next, dying in his well-won fame,
Brave Taylor came, of honored name.

Then Fillmore served: next Franklin Pierce.
Alas for Pierce! When strife was fierce
He ruled; and then Buchanan came.
Next, greatest name and purest fame
Since Washington our Lincoln earned.
Right he had learned and wrong he spurned.
By fearful deed, — the nation's woe, —
Crime laid him low. Next, Johnson know.

Then came the unboasting soldier Grant,
So free from cant and silly rant.

Next Hayes the exalted office filled.
Then voters willed (who soon were thrilled
Once more with tale of crime's wild thrust)
To give the trust to Garfield just.

Then Arthur President became.
This roll of fame next bears the name
Of Cleveland. Then in filial pride
Called to preside as nation's guide
We find a younger Harrison.

Twice Cleveland won; his service done
McKinley took the helm of state
When, dark and great, war's cloud and fate
Broke peace with Spain. With grief deep-felt
McKinley passed. Then Roosevelt
Was long our chief and steered our craft
Full well, till William Howard Taft
Took up the helm. And now't is time
To end our rhyme.





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