Amid the lofty group sedate, I see
Great Franklin muse where Truth had locked her stores,
Holding within his steady hand the key
That opened many doors.
And Trumbull, strong as hammered steel of old,
Stands boldly out in clear and high relief,—
A blade unbending worth a hilt of gold,—
He never failed his Chief.
Then Robert Morris glides into my Verse
Turning the very stones at need to bread—
Filling the young Republic's slender purse
When Credit's self seemed dead.
Tylers I see—sprung from the sturdy Wat—
A strong-armed rebel of an ancient date,
With Falkland-Carys come, to draw the lot
Cast in the helm of Fate.
And Marshall in his ermine white as snow,
Wise, learned and profound Fame loves to draw,
His noble function on the Bench to show
That Reason is the Law.
His sword unbuckled and his brows unbent,
The gallant Hamilton again appears,
And in fair Freedom's mighty Parliament
He marches with the Peers!
Henry is there beneath his civic crown;
He speaks in words that thunder as they flow,
And as he speaks his thunder-tones bring down
An avalanche below!
Nor does John Adams in the picture lag,
He was as bold, as resolute, and free,
As is the eagle on a misty crag
Above a stormy sea.
And 'mid his fellows in those days of need,
Impassioned Jefferson burns like a sun,
The New World's Prophet of the New World's Creed—
Prophet and Priest in one!
These two together stood in our great past,
When Independence flamed across the land;
On Independence Day these two at last
Departed hand in hand.