Washington, January 19, 1863.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
ASSASSINATED GOOD FRIDAY, 1865.
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
He said, and so went shriven to his fate,—
Unknowing went, that generous heart and true.
Even while he spoke the slayer lay in wait,
And when the morning opened Heaven’s gate
There passed the whitest soul a nation knew.
Henceforth all thoughts of pardon are too late;