Classic Poem

Hail to the chief who in war's deadly slaughter
Join'd in the struggle, our country to save:
Hail to the hero that o'er the wide water
Comes to revisit the land of the brave!
Hail to our nation's guest!
Joy to his noble breast!
Wide be his fame, till the last sun is set.
Hail! freedom's champion,
Brother of Washington,
Welcome, thrice welcome, the brave Lafayette!

Lone from the host of those warrior's and sages
Who guided the tempest of war's dread alarm,
He has survived the departure of ages,
Firm as the oak which has weather'd the storm.
Planets have glided by
Fame's glitt'ring canopy—
Never shall freemen their glory forget:—
Still, while they shine afar,
Hail to the evening star,
Welcome, thrice welcome, the brave Lafayette!

Bright be the days of our gallant defender,
Long may the green laurel twine round his brow,
Ever surrounded with verdure and splendor,
Pure as the radiance of heav'n's evening bow.
When his immortal mind
Leaves the dull earth behind,
Filling a nation with tears of regret,
Then ardent fancy's eye
Sees, in the starry sky,
Washington's spirit rejoin Lafayette.