The poems of John G. C. Brainard A new and authentic collection, with an original memoir of his life |
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DIRGE.
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 | The poems of John G. C. Brainard |  |
DIRGE.
ON THE DEATH OF ADAMS AND JEFFERSON.
Toll not the bell, and muffle notThe drum, nor fire the funeral shot;
Nor half way hoist our banner now—
Nor weed the arm, nor cloud the brow,—
But high to heaven be raised the eye,
And holy be the rapturous sigh:
And still be cannon, drum, and bell,
Nor let the flag of sorrow tell.
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But from the clods, and dust, and worms,
Their spirits wake, and breathing, rise
Above the sun's own glorious skies.
And happy be their airy track—
We may not, would not, call them back;—
For patriot hands may clasp with theirs,
And Angel harps may hymn their prayers.
| The poems of John G. C. Brainard | |