 | The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley |  |
789
EMERSON
CONCORD, APRIL 27, 1882
What shall we say? In quietude,
Within his home, in dreams unguessed,
He lies; the grief a nation would
Evince must be repressed.
Within his home, in dreams unguessed,
He lies; the grief a nation would
Evince must be repressed.
Nor meet is it the loud acclaim
His countrymen would raise—that he
Has left the riches of his fame
The whole world's legacy.
His countrymen would raise—that he
Has left the riches of his fame
The whole world's legacy.
Then, prayerful, let us pause until
We find, as grateful spirits can,
The way most worthy to fulfil
The tribute due the man.
We find, as grateful spirits can,
The way most worthy to fulfil
The tribute due the man.
Think what were best in his regard
Who voyaged life in such a cause:
Our simplest faith were best reward—
Our silence, best applause.
Who voyaged life in such a cause:
Our simplest faith were best reward—
Our silence, best applause.
| The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley | |