Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/332

 324 WASHINGTON.

��WASHINGTON.

��BY WILLIAM C. STT7ROC.

Oh Patriot Sage ! Columbia's clearest son ! Our country's Father! Famous Washington! How shall we sing — How homage bring, To deck the memory of the noblest soul

That ever spent a grand and glorious life? Who led in triumph to fair Freedom's goal, Nor faltered mid the darkness of the strife.

Oh mighty soldier! First in war's alarms Undaunted, when the trumpet call " To arms!" Roused men to stand, Throughout the land, For Home and Freedom, 'gainst oppression's power.

Thou God-appointed Chief, our guide and stay; Our lirm reliance in the midnight hour That stood the strongest mid the bloody fray.

Oh matchless Statesman! first and best in peace! Still calm and mighty when red war's surcease Claimed hands deep skilled To plan and build- Far from the despot's or the anarch's grasp—

The glorious fabric of a Nation Free, Each stone sure fastended with the golden clasp Of Wisdom, Strength, and State Fraternity.

Oh first within the bosom of thy countrymen ! Thy name and fame shall evermore remain Without a peer, To millions dear. The silent circumspection of thy heart

Did slander's shafts full oft but vainly try; Thy faith no tempest shock could part; Thy ark and anchor, Human Liberty I

Long may we guard, as with a flaming sword, The sacred volume of Columbia's word, That when our day Shall pass away, Our children's children, to the latest hour,

Shall peal their anthems, down from sire to son, As now, we grateful, bless the Heavenly Power That gave our own, Immortal Washington !

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