Classic Poem

Hard hit? Ah, yes! denial's vain —
Far from our thoughts and wishes too.
Stripped of our best, we meet again
To share a cup that's tinged with rue.
Dear man, how proud he made us all!
Our honest statesman, patriot, mate,
Whose very rivals lived to call
His death a mischief to the State!

With shining eyes we watched his course
Impetuous to an early goal;

A man of an inspiring force,
Whose pockets could not hold his soul!
Who strove without surcease or fear,
Nor from his task withdrew his hand,
Until the fame of his career
Edged the far corners of the land.

His head was clear, his heart was good,
His speech was plain, without pretence;
Men trusted him as one who stood
For honesty and common-sense.
Ah! not unshared is our distress,
Nor here alone is missed his face;
A million freemen, leaderless,
Still wonder who shall take his place.