1. Undoubtedly the most difficult kind of letter to write is the letter of sympathy, expressing sorrow for loss by death. Why? Lincoln's little letter to Mrs. Bixby has long been considered a classic of its kind. It is sincere, sympathetic, and helpful. What makes it so?
2. How did Lincoln come to write this letter? What does the fact that he wrote it show about the man? What was his object in writing it? Do you think he succeeded? What consolation did he offer the mother?
THE FLOWER OF LIBERTY
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
What flower is this that greets the morn,
Its hues from heaven so freshly born?
With burning star and naming band
It kindles all the sunset land:
Oh, tell us what its name may be,— 5
Is this the Flower of Liberty?
It is the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!
In savage nature's far abode
Its tender seed our fathers sowed; 10
The storm winds rocked its swelling bud,
Its opening leaves were streaked with blood,
Till lo! earth's tyrants shook to see
The full-blown Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,15
The starry Flower of Liberty!
Behold its streaming rays unite
One mingling flood of braided light,—
The red that fires the Southern rose,
With spotless white from Northern snows, 20
And, spangled o'er its azure, see
The sister stars of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!
The blades of heroes fence it round,
Where'er it springs in holy ground;
From tower and dome its glories spread;
It waves where lonely sentries tread;
It makes the land as ocean free, 5
And plants an empire on the sea!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty.
Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower,
Shall ever float on dome and tower, 10
To all their heavenly colors true,
In blackening frost or crimson dew,—
And God love us as we love thee,
Thrice-holy Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,15
The starry Flower of Liberty.
1. What is "The Flower of Liberty?" Does Holmes gain anything by calling it a flower? Substitute its real name and read the poem through thus, to test your answer.
2. Interpret the following passages: "hues from heaven"; "burning star"; "flaming band"; lines 9-14, page 348; lines 19-20, page 348; "blades of heroes"; "empire on the sea"; "thrice-holy."
3. What other poems on the flag have you read? Which do you like best? How does this one compare in quality with the others?