Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WASHINTON'S TOMB, by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tomb of the mighty dead! Last Line: Washington! Subject(s): Graves; Presidents, United States; Washington, George (1732-1799); Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
(ADAPTED TO MUSIC) TOMB of the mighty dead! How sacred every tree, Waving above thy head, Or shedding bloom on thee: As long as fair Potomac flows, Sparkling 'neath Mount Vernon's sun, Rever'd by friends and foes Dwell here, in blest repose, Washington! Sons of the pilgrim sires, Sons of yon boundless west, Ye, whom the tropic fires, Or hoarse lakes lull to rest, If wandering wide, you e'er forget Ties that bind us all in one, Here, at your father's feet, The brothers' vow repeat, While the breeze respondeth sweet, Washington! He, of Helena's rock Hath an enduring name, Echoed in battle shock, Sculptured with blood and flame: But, when the mother at her knee Whispereth to her cradled son The alphabet of liberty, Will he not lisp of thee, Washington? Should baleful Discord steal Our patriot strength away, Or fierce Invasion's zeal Recal old Bunker's day, Or mad Disunion smite the tree Nurs'd so long in Glory's sun, Mount Vernon's tomb shall be The watch-word of the free, Guiding their hearts to thee, Washington! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL COLUMBUS [JANUARY, 1487] by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY |
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