washington's birth-day.
19
A star arose. Its dazzling light Dispelled the gathering shades of night;Blessing and freedom were the glorious day. That star its bright ascendant gained; No mist its shining pathway stained;No cloud obscured its glowing, deathless ray.
What was the heaven-born star That shed its light afar,Above the war-cry's din, the battle's strife,And guided us to victory and life?The name is breathed from every freeman's mouth;It comes like incense, on the gentle south: And beams not now the kindling eye? Rise not our swelling notes on high?It is thy natal day, thou matchless one!The day that gave to earth its Washington! It is a feeble gift we bring,And gratitude in vain attempts to tellThe glorious visions that within us swell.
There is a holy spot,— Be not the stone forgot, Which hides from view his mouldering dust, Till earth shall yield to Heaven its sacred trust:Be that our Mecca, that, fair freedom's shrine;Brightly may freedom's sunlight o'er it shine: And when his children shall declare With reverence, the glorious name, That links them to a future race, And challenges immortal fame,May they, though in the dust his form they trace,Look up to heaven, and say, "his soul is there." 1832.
