  I.—THE STEAMBOAT BELLS When steamboats approach Mt. Vernon their bells begin to toll, and continue the mournful service until the sacred spot is again left in the distance. Mt. Vernon's shade sweet vigil keeps Where on her breast her hero sleeps; O passing bells, soft be your tone, Toll gently for our Washington. Toll, the great Warrior's strife is o'er; Toll, for the Statesman pleads no more; Toll—for a Man is fallen—on, Peal out your dirge for Washington. Toll for a people's wounded heart, Toll for a bleeding Nation's smart, Toll for a World!—toll sadly on— The world hath lost a Washington. Ring out your wailing on the air, And let it be a voice of prayer; He whom we greatly need is gone;— God give another Washington. 1863 Thus while she listened to the mournful knell That woke sad echoes on Potomac's shore; Saw how from Sumter's height her banner fell, And heard, not distant far, loud battle's roar;— Thus, while she heard the impatient bondman's moan, Knew her own power defied, her trust betrayed; While Treason rose to hurl her from her throne— The Spirit of the Union mused and prayed. II.—THE EMANCIPATOR God gave another; while we stood Aghast before the coming flood Of war, and its attending woes, The one for whom she prayed arose. Blinded and deaf, we knew him not; Yet saw him wipe out slavery's blot; Heard him proclaim his people free, From lake to gulf, from sea to sea. Saw this and heard, but deaf and blind, We failed to recognize the Mind, Which, going on from strength to strength, From grace to grace, had grown at length, Thro the stern lessons of the hour, Of danger, censure, praise and power, To be the Man among us, one, Whom now we hail, since he is gone, Lincoln, our more than Washington. 1866 |
|
