Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WASHINGTON AT TRENTON, by RICHARD WATSON GILDER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WASHINGTON AT TRENTON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Since ancient time began
Last Line: Or can against the heroic heart of man prevail.
Subject(s): Presidents, United States; Washington, George (1732-1799)


Since ancient Time began
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden --
The weight of all this world, the hopes of man.
Conflict and pain, and fame immortal are his guerdon!

And this the unfaltering token
Of him, the Deliverer -- what though tempests beat,
Though all else fail, though bravest ranks be broken,
He stands unscared, alone, nor ever knows defeat.

Such was that man of men;
And if are praised all virtues, every fame
Most noble, highest, purest -- then, ah! then,
Upleaps in every heart the name none needs to name.

Ye who defeated, 'whelmed,
Betray the sacred cause, let go the trust;
Sleep, weary, while the vessels drift unhelmed;
Here see in triumph rise the hero from the dust!

All ye who fight forlorn
'Gainst fate and failure; ye who proudly cope
With evil high enthroned; all ye who scorn
Life from Dishonor's hand, here take new heart of hope.

Here know how Victory borrows
For the brave soul a front as of disaster,
And in the bannered East what glorious morrows
For all the blackness of the night speed surer, faster.

Know by this pillared sign
For what brief while the powers of earth and hell
Can war against the spirit of truth divine,
Or can against the heroic heart of man prevail.





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