Classic Poem

BENJAMIN HARRISON — INDIANAPOLIS, MARCH 14, 1901

BOWED, midst a universal grief that makes
Columbia's self a stricken mourner, cast
In tears beneath the old Flag at half-mast,
A sense of glory rouses us and breaks
Like song upon our sorrowing and shakes
The dew from our drenched eyes, that smile at last
In childish pride — as though the great man passed
To his most high reward for our poor sakes.
Loved of all men — we muse, — yet ours he was —
Choice of the Nation's mighty brotherhood —
Her soldier, statesman, ruler. — Ay, but then,
We knew him — long before the world's applause
And after — as a neighbor, kind and good,
Our common friend and fellow citizen.