Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE GRAVE OF LAWRENCE, by CLINTON SCOLLARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE GRAVE OF LAWRENCE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Morn and noon of day and even, human ebb and flow
Last Line: As a burning inspiration both on land and sea.
Subject(s): Lawrence, James (1781-1813); Trinity Churchyard (new York); U.s. - History


Morn and noon of day and even, human ebb and flow;
Overhead, the stars of midnight, -- scarce the faintest glow, --
Shrunken into misty marsh-fires be the city's glare;
Here he sleeps, our sailor hero, -- pause and hail him fair!
Here he sleeps where jostling Wall Street merges in Broadway,
And the roar is as a legion leaping to the fray.

Out from Trinity's dim portal floats the chanting choir;
Matchless midst the girdling granite lifts the graceful spire.
Many slumberers around him, men of church and state;
Here he sleeps, our sailor hero, great among the great!
Simple lines to mark his slumber; how the letters speak!
"Lawrence (hark, ye money getters!) of the Chesapeake!"

Stone may call in clearer accents than the loudest lip.
Just a name! What does it cry you? "Don't give up the ship!"
Aye, there's something more than millions, -- a far nobler aim!
Here he sleeps, our sailor hero, nothing but a name!
Yet (and who can pierce the future?) this may one day be
As a burning inspiration both on land and sea.





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