University of Virginia Library


108

On his excellency Anthony Wayne, commander in chief of the Federal Army, who died at Presq'isle, Dec. 14, 1796, on his return from his campaign against the Indians.

The birth of some great men, or death,
Gives a celebrity to spots of earth;
We say that Montcalm fell on Abram's Plain;
That Butler presses the Miami bank;
And that the promontory of Sigeum
Has Achilles's tomb—
Presqu'isle saw Wayne expire.
The traveller shall see his monument:
At least his grave. For this,
Corroding jealousy will not detract;
But will allow a mound—
Some little swelling of the earth,
To mark the interment of his bones.
Brave honest soldier sleep—
And let the dews weep over thee,
And gales that sigh across the Lake;
Till men shall recognize thy worth,
And coming to the place, shall ask,
“Is this where Wayne is buried?”