ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
267
O fervent heart! O cool and patient head!
O shoulders broad to bear all others' blame!
Mercy disguised herself beneath his name,
And Justice through his lips like Pity plead.
O shoulders broad to bear all others' blame!
Mercy disguised herself beneath his name,
And Justice through his lips like Pity plead.
His truth could snare the wiliest of the earth;
His wit outweigh the ponderous debate;
By sneers unvexed, in triumph unelate,
He stood our chief in place, our chief in worth.
His wit outweigh the ponderous debate;
By sneers unvexed, in triumph unelate,
He stood our chief in place, our chief in worth.
Behold, O kingdoms of the world, behold,
O mighty powers beyond the swelling wave,
How fast as rain on his untitled grave
The tears of millions mingle with the mould!
O mighty powers beyond the swelling wave,
How fast as rain on his untitled grave
The tears of millions mingle with the mould!
Such love a prince might crave, such homage seek;
The people's love that clothed him like a king,
The grateful trust those hands were swift to bring
Whose broken fetters of deliverance speak.
The people's love that clothed him like a king,
The grateful trust those hands were swift to bring
Whose broken fetters of deliverance speak.
Four years ago unknown—to-day how dear!
Four years that tried him with a century's strain,
While Treason led his wretched hosts in vain
And turned Assassin when his doom was near.
Four years that tried him with a century's strain,
While Treason led his wretched hosts in vain
And turned Assassin when his doom was near.
Four little years whose space a thought may span;
A niche in Time's vast hall where he doth stand,
To win applause in every age and land,
"The noblest work of God—an honest man."
A niche in Time's vast hall where he doth stand,
To win applause in every age and land,
"The noblest work of God—an honest man."
