Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BENJAMIN HARRISON, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BENJAMIN HARRISON, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: As tangible a form in history
Last Line: And victory -- as ever -- with the right.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Harrison, Benjamin (1833-1901); Heroism; Life; Monuments; Heroes; Heroines


ON THE UNVEILING OF HIS MONUMENT AT INDIANAPOLIS -- OCTOBER 27, 1908

AS tangible a form in History
The Spirit of this man stands forth as here
He towers in deathless sculpture, high and clear
Against the bright sky of his destiny.
Sprung of our oldest, noblest ancestry,
His pride of birth, as lofty as sincere,
Held kith and kin, as Country, ever dear --
Such was his sacred faith in you and me.
Thus, natively, from youth his work was one
Unselfish service in behalf of all --
Home, friends and sharers of his toil and stress;
Ay, loving all men and despising none,
And swift to answer every righteous call,
His life was one long deed of worthiness.

The voice of Duty's faintest whisper found
Him as alert as at her battle-cry --
When awful War's battalions thundered by,
High o'er the havoc still he heard the sound
Of mothers' prayers and pleadings all around;
And ever the despairing sob and sigh
Of stricken wives and orphan children's cry
Made all our Land thrice consecrated ground.
So rang his "Forward!" and so swept his sword --
On! -- on! -- till from the fire-and-cloud once more
Our proud Flag lifted in the glad sunlight
As though the very Ensign of the Lord
Unfurled in token that the strife was o'er,
And victory -- as ever -- with the right.





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