Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A GOOD, GREAT NAME, by FRANCES ELIZABETH CAROLINE WILLARD First Line: A good, great name!' so speak the bells Last Line: "it shall sing on, ""a good, great name!" Subject(s): Presidents, United States; Washington, George (1732-1799) | ||||||||
"A good, great name!" So speak the bells In deep, clear tones that come to me With one of history's noblest spells, And tune my heart to patriot's key. "A good, great name!" What millionaire Has ever been remembered so? What selfish life may ever share The praise that makes these echoes flow? "A good, great name!" It speaks to me Of love to God and love to man; These unities in which agree Both Now and Here, both There and Then. "A good, great name!" The tuneful bells Ring on and on in their delight, While my glad heart with purpose swells To serve my country with my might. "A good, great name!" It is the goal Of all this splendid world can give; Its conquest may well nerve to the soul For man to die, for God to live. "A good, great name!" O Washington! We may not climb where thou hast stood, Crowned with the people's loud, "Well done!" A Pharos in time's rolling flood. But to our measure's perfect height Let each climb on toward generous fame. So may the future's bells delight To ring for us, "A good, great name!" Or sweet and low, the human heart Shall gently chime our holier fame; Beyond the magic of man's art It shall sing on, "A good, great name!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE LOSS OF HIS TEETH by DIANE WAKOSKI GEORGE WASHINGTON by JOHN HALL INGHAM PATRIOTIC POEM by DIANE WAKOSKI HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON by PHILLIS WHEATLEY THE VOW OF WASHINGTON by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780] by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL by CLARA BECK GEORGE WASHINGTON by LAURA REW BIXBY THE CITY REVISITED by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. CHARLES BLISS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE PLAYERS ASK FOR A BLESSING ON THE PSALTERIES AND ON THEMSELVES by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |
|