BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
"Eripuit coelo fulmen, sceptrumque tyrannis."
Franklin! our Franklin! America's loved son!—
Loved in his day, and now, as few indeed:
Franklin! whose mighty genius allies won,
To aid her, in great need!
Franklin! with noble charm that fear allays,—
Tact, judgment, insight, humor naught could dim!—
"Antiquity," said Mirabeau, "would raise
Altars to honor him!"
How should one country claim him, or one hour?
Bound to no narrow circuit, and no time,
He is the World's—part of her lasting dower,
One with her hope sublime.
His kindred are the equable and kind
Whose constant thought is to uplift and bless;
The witty, and the wise, the large of mind,
Who ignorance redress:
His kindred are the bold who, undismayed,
Believe that good is ever within reach,—
