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 | The Poems of Richard Watson Gilder |  |
332
THE GREAT CITIZEN
ABRAM STEVENS HEWITT
Mourn for his death, but for his life rejoice,
Who was the city's heart, the city's voice.
Who was the city's heart, the city's voice.
Dauntless in youth, impetuous in age,
Weighty in speech, in civic counsel sage;
Weighty in speech, in civic counsel sage;
Talents and wealth to him were but a trust
To lift his hapless brother from the dust;—
To lift his hapless brother from the dust;—
This his chief aim: to wake, in every man,
The soul to do what only courage can.
The soul to do what only courage can.
He saw the evil, as the wise must see,
But firm his faith in what the world shall be.
But firm his faith in what the world shall be.
Following the truth, he led his fellow-men—
Through years and virtues the great citizen!
Through years and virtues the great citizen!
By being great, he made the city great;
Serving the city, he upheld the state.
Serving the city, he upheld the state.
So shall the city win a purer fame
Led by the living splendor of his name.
Led by the living splendor of his name.
| The Poems of Richard Watson Gilder | |