In connection with this poem the following stanza from "The Battle-Field" seems very appropriate:
"Truth, crushed to Earth, shill rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error, wounded, writhes with pain,
And dies among his worshippers."
The American people certainly felt that Truth was Brushed to Earth with Lincoln's death, but believed that it would triumph.
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (1780-1843)
Born in Maryland, he graduated from St. John's College, Md., and practiced law in Frederick City, Md. He was district attorney for the District of Columbia during the War of 1812 and while imprisoned by the British on board the ship Minden, Sept. 13, 1814, he witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry and wrote this national anthem.
THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
30. Why is this mentioned as our motto?
JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE (1795-1820)
The "Culprit Fay" is so much better than American poetry had previously been that one is at first disposed to speak of it enthusiastically. An obvious comparison puts it in true perspective. Drake's life happened nearly to coincide with that of Keats.... Amid the full fervor of European experience Keats produced immortal work; Drake, whose whole life was passed amid the national inexperience of New York, produced only pretty fancies."
—BARRETT WENDELL.