Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO ABRAHAM JACOBI, M.D. (AT THE DINNER CELEBRATING HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY), by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ABRAHAM JACOBI, M.D. (AT THE DINNER CELEBRATING HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: No honors hath the state for you whose life
Last Line: That all their ways fair fortune strew with flowers.
Subject(s): Jacobi, Abraham (1930-1919); Physicians; Praise; Doctors


NO honors hath the State for you whose life
From youth to age has known one single end.
Take from our lips two well-won titles now,
Magister et Amicus—Master, Friend.

Here on the summit of attainment's peak,
Far from the rugged path you knew to climb,
Take, with our thanks for high example set,
The palm of honor in this festal time.

Constant and brave, in no ignoble cause
The hopes of freedom armed your sturdy youth;
As true and brave in these maturer years
Your ardent struggle in the cause of truth.

Nor prison bars, nor yet the lonely cell,
Could break your vigor of unconquered will;
And the gray years which build as cruel walls
Have found and left you ever victor still.

Ave Magister! Take from us to-night
The well-earned praise of all who love our art
For this long season of unending work,
For strength of brain, and precious wealth of heart.

Much gave your busy hand; but, ah, far more,
The gallant life that taught men how to meet
Unfriended exile, sorrow, want, and all
That crush the weak with failure and defeat.

We gave you here a home; you well have paid
With many gifts proud freedom's generous hand
That bade you largely breathe a freer air,
And made you welcome to a freer land.

Ave Amice! If around this board
Are they who watched you thro' laborious years,
Beyond these walls, in many a grateful home,
Your step dismissed a thousand pallid fears.

That kindly face, that gravely tender look,
Thro' darkened hours how many a mother knew!
And in that look won sweet reprieve of hope,
Sure that all earth could give was there with you.

Ave Magister! Many be the years
That lie before you, thronged with busy hours!
Ave Amice! Take our earnest prayer
That all their ways fair fortune strew with flowers.





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