Poems (Whitney)/Twenty-second of february

by Anne Whitney

TWENTY-SECOND OF FEBRUARY.

In bygone days when we were weak,
 Some strong men by us stood,
Like primary rocks to front the storm
 And buttress the infant wood.
Then we had Adams, and Otis, and Lee,
 Then we had Franklin and Jay,
Then we had Washington, kingman of all;
 Great names—great men were they.

There were baby truths in those old days,
 And there was full-grown wrong;
They smote the last with iron blows,
 And helped the babes along.
Chivalrous times and men were they—
 Hearts of the grand old breed,
Gaston de Foix, and the Knight sans peur,
 And Roderick the Cid!

What did they know of party bribes?
 When did they kneel to pelf?
And when were country, and man, and God
 Less in their deeds than self?
Were the mountains taller in those days?.
 The streams more swift and strong,
That they caught the trick of a nobler grace
 And of a manlier tongue?

Northern aurora, speed your light
 Into our skies' cold gray,
Appeal to the glad to-morrow
 From recreant to-day!
O shame this backward-looking glance,
 O shame this paltry fear,
And men of might, be men of faith,
 Far-eyed, deep-eyed and clear!

Valor is valor over the world.
 Ah! do not think to gain
The hero's glory and meed of praise,
 Without his wound and pain.
"Mid well-won palms, earth's sovereigns sit
 On high in joyful calm,
But a bleeding heart is in each one's hand—
 A heart for every palm.

Past days,—past men—but present still!
 Men who could meet the hour;
And so bore fruit for every age
 And amaranthine flower;
Who proved that noble deeds are faith,
 And living words are deeds;
And left us dreams beyond their dreams—
 And higher hopes and needs.

Not often great in name or place,—.
 Great but to think and dare,
Some steadfast eyes yet look to truth,
 Some steadfast hearts watch there.
And when they speak or when they sing,
 Strange music seems to rise,
But the angels know 'tis the burthen old
 Returning to the skies.