Classic Poem

Brave Porter Allen, slowly
Let his loved name be said,
As with obeisance lowly,
Ye bare a reverent head.

With heart to fear a stranger,
This grand hercic man,
Foreknowing fearful danger,
To meet it bravely ran.

An e'en the blow which brought him
Swift death chilled not his zeal,
For dying he bethought him
To speak of others' weal.

More forceful than the teacher
Of high exalted thought,
More potent than the preacher,
The lesson that he taught.

Who would not call him father?
Who would not own him son?
The man who perished rather
Than duty shirk or shun.

So high in godly beauty,
To which great heroes soar,
Place him who died for duty:
A king could do no more.