A King once said of a Prince struck down, "Taller he seems in death." And this speech holds truth, for now as then 'Tis after death that we measure men, And as mists of the past are rolled away...
Her story, sure, was fashioned out above, Ere 't was enacted on the scene below! For 't was a very miracle of love When from the savage hawk's nest came the dove...
Whether in velvet white, slashed, and be-pearled, And rich in knots of clustering gems a-glow: Or, in his rusted armor, he unfurled St. George's Cross by Oronoko's flow;...
The cock hath crow'd. I hear the doors unbarr'd; Down to the moss-grown porch my way I take, And hear, beside the well within the yard, Full many an ancient, quacking, splashing drake,...
Over the farm is brooding silence now - No reaper's song - no raven's clangor harsh - No bleat of sheep - no distant low of cow - No croak of frogs within the spreading marsh -...
That solitary cloud grows dark and wide, While distant thunder rumbles in the air, A fitful ripple breaks the river's tide - The lazy cattle are no longer there, But homeward come in long procession slow,...
Behind me purplish lines marked out the town, Before me stretched the noble Roadstead's tide: And there I saw the Evening sun go down Casting a parting glory far and wide -...
Their sleep is made glorious, And dead they're victorious Over defeat! Never Lethean billows Shall roll o'er their pillows, Red with the feet Of Mars from the wine press So bitterly sweet!...
Nolan halted where the squadrons, Stood impatient of delay, Out he drew his brief dispatches, Which their leader quickly snatches, At a glance their meaning catches; They are ordered to the fray! ...
In those vast forests dwelt a race of kings, Free as the eagle when he spreads his wings - His wings which never in their wild flight lag - In mists which fly the fierce tornado's flag;...
"Great Mother of great Commonwealths" Men call our Mother State: And she so well has earned this name That she may challenge Fate To snatch away the epithet Long given her of "great." ...
Oh the women of Old Portsmouth in their patience were sublime, As in working and in praying they abided GOD's own time! Marble saints in a stately Minster, in some land across the sea,...
Two little children toddled up to me, Their faces fair as faces well could be, Roses and snow, but pale the roses were Like flowers fainting for the lack of air. Sad was the tender study which I gave...
Certain events, like architects, build up Viewless cathedrals, in whose aisles the cup Of some impressive sacrament is kist - Where thankful nations taste the Eucharist....
Virginia in her proud, Colonial days Boasts three great names which full of glory shine; Two glitter like the burnished heads of spears, the third in tender light is half divine....
Alas! he's cold! Cold as the marble which his fingers wrought - Cold, but not dead; for each embodied thought Of his, which he from the Ideal brought To live in stone, Assures him immortality of fame....