Oh, slow to smit and swift to spare,
Gentle and merciful and just!
Who, in the fear of God, didst bear
The sword of power, a nation’s trust!
In sorrow by thy bier we stand,
Amid the awe that hushes all,
And speak the anguish of a land
That shook with horror at thy fall.
Thy task is done; the bond of free;
We bear thee to an honored grave,
Whose proudest monument shall be
The broken fetters of the slave.
Pure was thy life; its bloddy close
Hath placed thee with the sons of light,
Among the noble host of those
Who perished in the cause of Right.
(William Cullen Bryant)
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Based on Topics: God Poems, Life Poems, Light Poems, Sadness Poems, Fear Poems, Sons Poems, Power Poems, Trust Poems, Slavery PoemsBased on Keywords: nation, placed, amid, task, didst, horror, shook, awe, host, bond, perished