Classic Poem

A shadow of sorrow hangs over the Nation,
A feeling of sadness far reaching and deep,
For he who once ruled us devoid of elation,
Now lies in forgetfulness deeper than sleep.
The great humane heart that once beat in his bosom,
Shone out in his eyes and directed his tongue,
No blight of the past made a strenuous life gruesome,
No record of wrong-doing over him hung.
High purpose enthralled him and faithful to duty,
From arduous effort he shrank not nor swerved.
Sound precept to practice he welded in beauty,
The great and the lowly he ruled as he served.
He answered the roll-call hard breathing from action,
And bent to the fiat which none may recall,
Then passed to the bourne whence there is no retraction,
The Alpha and Omega common to all.