Page:Suggestive programs for special day exercises.djvu/28

 

WASHINGTON.

THE BRIGHTEST NAME ON HISTORY'S PAGE.

ELIZA COOK.

Land of the West! though passing brief
The record, of thine age,
Thou hast a name that darkens all
On history's wide page.
Let all the blasts of Fame ring out,
Thine shall be loudest far;
Let others boast their satellites,
Thou hast the planet star.

Thou hast a name whose characters
Of light shall ne'er depart;
'Tis stamped upon the dullest brain
And warms the coldest heart;
A war cry fit for any land
Where freedom's to be won;
Land of the West! it stands alone,
It is thy Washington!

Rome had its Cæsar, great and brave,
But stain was on his wreath;
He lived the heartless conqueror.
And died the tyrant's death,
Prance had its eagle, but his wings.
Though lofty they might soar.
Were spread in false ambition's flight.
And dipped in murder's gore.

Those hero-gods, whose mighty sway
Would fain have claimed the waves,
Who flashed their blades with tiger zeal
To make a world of slaves;
Who, though their kindred barred the path,
Still fiercely waded on,
Oh, where appears their "glory" now
Beside a Washington!

He fought, but not with love of strife;
He struck but to defend;
And ere he turned a people's foe.
He sought to be a friend.
He strove to keep his country's right
By reason's gentle word.
And sighed when all injustice threw
The challenge sword to sword.

He stood, the firm, the grand, the wise,
The patriot and the sage;
He showed no deep, avenging hate,
No burst of despot rage.
He stood for Liberty and Truth,
And daringly led on,
Till shouts of victory gave forth
The name of Washington.

 

THE GLORIOUS ROLL OF THE AMERICAN DRUM.

The glorious roll of the American drum
Proclaimed to the world that Freedom had come.
And first brought the gleam of Liberty's ray
To drive the dark clouds of oppression away.
'Twas then, for the first, a drum for freedom had rolled,—
No wonder its rattle had a new valor told!
'Twas equal rights speaking with invincible voice,
And bidding earth's millions in a new hope rejoice.
The eagle-eyed drummer was steel-nerved in his arm.
Inspiring the heroes to defy war's alarm;
The valorous son, with eyes spell-bound on his sire.
His strokes re-inforcing, reproducing his fire;
Both joining the fifer, with blood staining his brow.
True liberty sounding—the American vow.
While thickly around it clouds of battle smoke curled.
Aloft in its beauty was Old Glory unfurled.
As head of the column with fixed bayonets appears.
The wounded and dying lifted proud voice in cheers.
The spirit our fathers—led by George Washington—
Displayed for our banner, thrills to-day every one;
To God and our Country heads and hearts we will give,
For one country, one language, and one flag to live.

(The conclusion of this recitation could be made very effective by an adaptation of the flag salute, the entire school joining in last two lines.)