SONNET—JAMES A. GARFIELD.
BY REV. H. BERNARD CARPENTER
Lo! as a pure white statue wrought with care
By some strong hand, which moulds from Life and Death
Beauty more beautiful than blood or breath,
And straight 'tis veiled, and, whilst all men repair
To see this wonder in the workshops there!
Behold it gleams unveiled to curious eye
Far-seen, high-placed in Art's pale gallery,
Where all stand mute before a work so fair:
So he, our man of men, in vision stands,
With Pain and Patience crowned imperial,
Death's veil has dropped, far from this house of woe
He hears one love chant out of many lands,
Whilst from his mystic noon-height he lets fall
His shadow o'er these hearts that bleed below.
Sept. 26, 1881.
The Independent.