Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WASHINTON'S TOMB, by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WASHINTON'S TOMB, by                 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!





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