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A MONODY,
  
  
  
  
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A MONODY,

ON THE DEATHS OF THE EX-PRESIDENTS, JOHN ADAMS, AND THOMAS JEFFERSON, JULY 4, 1826.

The mid-day peal of joy had rung,
When Sol, in his car of glory,
A radiant glance from the zenith flung,
On a spot far-famed in story.
He gazed on the scene, but sought in vain
For that band of patriot sages,
Whose deathless names alone remain,
Emblazoned on History's pages.
All, all were gone, but the Godlike THREE
Revered by a grateful nation,
And they were our Adams, our Carroll, and HE
Who drafted the Declaration.

140

He thought of the time, when in deep despair,
Columbia's troops were receding,
For millions were now rejoicing where
Her heroes then lay bleeding!
“'T is done!” he cried, “and this jubilee
Shall long be remembered in story,
For TWO of the patriot Godlike THREE,
Shall depart in this blaze of glory.”
He said, and amid the joy and mirth,
(For the mandate had been given,)
The spirit of Jefferson rose from earth,
To meet its reward in heaven.
He soared on high, to his place of rest,
With cherubim attendants,
And he smiling soared, for his country was blessed
With freedom and independence.
One glance of love was downward cast,
Like a beam of celestial glory,
O'er Quincy's reverend sage it passed,
Renowned like himself, in story.
He felt the ray, and his mighty heart
Burst with the sweet emotion,

141

'T was the year and the day he had prayed to depart,
In the fervor of pure devotion.
Together they gained the elysium bower,
By angels received with gladness,
While Nature wept in a silvery shower,
But not with tears of sadness.
Together they toiled for their country's good,
In her darkest hour of danger,
Together the arm of oppression withstood,
Each heart to fear a stranger.
Together they soared to realms of bliss,
In a world of fadeless splendor;
Together their names shall live in this
While Liberty has a defender.