"A good, great name!" So speak the bells In deep, clear tones that come to me With one of history's noblest spells, And tune my heart to patriot's key. "A good, great name!" What millionaire Has ever been remembered so? What selfish life may ever share The praise that makes these echoes flow? "A good, great name!" It speaks to me Of love to God and love to man; These unities in which agree Both Now and Here, both There and Then. "A good, great name!" The tuneful bells Ring on and on in their delight, While my glad heart with purpose swells To serve my country with my might. "A good, great name!" It is the goal Of all this splendid world can give; Its conquest may well nerve to the soul For man to die, for God to live. "A good, great name!" O Washington! We may not climb where thou hast stood, Crowned with the people's loud, "Well done!" A Pharos in time's rolling flood. But to our measure's perfect height Let each climb on toward generous fame. So may the future's bells delight To ring for us, "A good, great name!" Or sweet and low, the human heart Shall gently chime our holier fame; Beyond the magic of man's art It shall sing on, "A good, great name!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COVERING WINGS by KATHERINE MANSFIELD SCHOOLS OF LITTLE FISH by MARVIN BELL THE MARMOZET by HILAIRE BELLOC EVERYBODY KNOWS by DAVID IGNATOW THE EXECUTIVE by DAVID IGNATOW AFTERGLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TIRED by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |