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91
WASHINGTON'S SWORD AT THE CAPITOL.
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The sword worn by General Washington during the Revolutionary War was, at the request of his representatives, recently (1844) presented to Congress. It is substantial, but of the plainest workmanship,—its embellishment of pure and simple beauty consisting alone in the name, “Washington,” inscribed on the blade.
Behold, there cometh to the Capitol
A mighty speaker!—such as ne'er before
Entered, commanding, in the Congress hall,
With eloquence sublime to take the floor.
A mighty speaker!—such as ne'er before
Entered, commanding, in the Congress hall,
With eloquence sublime to take the floor.
Peace, party strife!—be still, each warring word!
Let self and discord from the scene depart!
Sons of Columbia, 't is your father's sword,
Pointing a precept high to every heart.
Let self and discord from the scene depart!
Sons of Columbia, 't is your father's sword,
Pointing a precept high to every heart.
See, on its blade his hallowed name it bears;
Whence must a glory, radiant like the sun,
Shine forth to all who should, as rightful heirs,
Share the dear heritage his valor won.
Whence must a glory, radiant like the sun,
Shine forth to all who should, as rightful heirs,
Share the dear heritage his valor won.
Look on it, all! the moving sight shall be
True as a touchstone, proving every breast,
Which of a spirit worthy to be free,
Or to be subject, inly is possessed.
True as a touchstone, proving every breast,
Which of a spirit worthy to be free,
Or to be subject, inly is possessed.
For the cold soul, by selfish purpose swayed,
Wrapped in a cloak, to hide an under aim,
Must feel no reverence for this peerless blade,
Can see no lustre in the Patriot's name.
Wrapped in a cloak, to hide an under aim,
Must feel no reverence for this peerless blade,
Can see no lustre in the Patriot's name.
92
Rome's keenest sword spake not with power like this,
When Cæsar's eye fell, quenched beneath its lid!
Who 'd here betray his country with a kiss?
Sooner, go perish as Iscariot did!
When Cæsar's eye fell, quenched beneath its lid!
Who 'd here betray his country with a kiss?
Sooner, go perish as Iscariot did!
Who here would sell his birthright at the price
Blind Isaac's greedy son caused his to bring,
Or to the deed some hungry slave entice?
Each may have food where grazed Chaldea's king.
Blind Isaac's greedy son caused his to bring,
Or to the deed some hungry slave entice?
Each may have food where grazed Chaldea's king.
And who 's offended by my descant free,
Made o'er this relic stainless and unique?
“If any, speak”; and let the witness be
Shame's honest blush on every patriot cheek!
Made o'er this relic stainless and unique?
“If any, speak”; and let the witness be
Shame's honest blush on every patriot cheek!
Once, in the cause of Liberty unsheathed,
High shone this arm, a terror to her foes;
Now doth it come, with bay and olive wreathed,
Home to her Temple, for a long repose.
High shone this arm, a terror to her foes;
Now doth it come, with bay and olive wreathed,
Home to her Temple, for a long repose.
'T was her good angel, in a form of clay,
Who held it fast, with pure, unerring hand.
And like a flaming sword, turned every way,
Round her young Tree, just planted in our land.
Who held it fast, with pure, unerring hand.
And like a flaming sword, turned every way,
Round her young Tree, just planted in our land.
Then, when he saw the roots were firm and deep,—
Saw the dove nestled 'mid the spicy bloom,—
Yonder he left his sacred dust to sleep,
Where old Potomac sings beside his tomb.
Saw the dove nestled 'mid the spicy bloom,—
Yonder he left his sacred dust to sleep,
Where old Potomac sings beside his tomb.
While the blue waters, passing, bless the scene,
Brightening its turf's soft verdure as they flow,
Doth calm Mount Vernon, with its cypress green,
Earth's richest, proudest, mausoleum show.
Brightening its turf's soft verdure as they flow,
Doth calm Mount Vernon, with its cypress green,
Earth's richest, proudest, mausoleum show.
93
There doth our Chieftain in his laurels rest,
Where no vain offerings to his worth appear:
Nature holds, clasped to her maternal breast,
Him to whom Art no monument could rear!
Where no vain offerings to his worth appear:
Nature holds, clasped to her maternal breast,
Him to whom Art no monument could rear!
Ye, who a priesthood to this Temple come,
Guard well the ark from every touch profane.
Where Right and Freedom claim a father-home,
Let not the Federal scutcheon take a stain.
Guard well the ark from every touch profane.
Where Right and Freedom claim a father-home,
Let not the Federal scutcheon take a stain.
With you, in image, stands our Washington,
In marble beauty, while his dust is near;
Ye have his counsel, and the rights he won:
See that his virtues be not wanting here.
In marble beauty, while his dust is near;
Ye have his counsel, and the rights he won:
See that his virtues be not wanting here.
Arm of my Country, if a private thought
O'er thee be nascent, and a tear betrayed,
'T is that my father's sword by thee was taught,—
His oracle, thy wearer, long obeyed.
O'er thee be nascent, and a tear betrayed,
'T is that my father's sword by thee was taught,—
His oracle, thy wearer, long obeyed.
Go to thy glorious rest! the true, the brave,
To theirs are gone, who knew thee in the strife;
Rest with the archives of a land that gave
The world a Washington,—our nation life!
To theirs are gone, who knew thee in the strife;
Rest with the archives of a land that gave
The world a Washington,—our nation life!
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