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Poem
July 16, 1881
Gold Hill Daily News
Gold Hill, Storey County, Nevada
What is this article about?
A 14-line sonnet elegy mourning the assassination of President James A. Garfield, portraying him as a capable helmsman of the Ship of State felled by a 'pitiful fool,' amid battles with rebels and distrust, questioning who will lead next.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
James A. Garfield.
Shot at his post! We never knew how strong
The hand that grasped the helm, till came the shock-
When the fingers tightened in Pain's helpless lock
And the good ship quivered all her beams along.
This was no deed of mutineers that throng
In clamorous revolt-no sunken rock-
Madness at Death's own grandeur dared to mock-
A pitiful fool has worked the State this wrong.
Not with the waves alone: with rebel's hate,
With friend's distrust, he battled. Slowly grew
Our confidence in him who steered us out.
Danger that found him faithful, crowns him great.
The Ship of State sails on; but of her crew
Who well might take the helm, he being gone?
Shot at his post! We never knew how strong
The hand that grasped the helm, till came the shock-
When the fingers tightened in Pain's helpless lock
And the good ship quivered all her beams along.
This was no deed of mutineers that throng
In clamorous revolt-no sunken rock-
Madness at Death's own grandeur dared to mock-
A pitiful fool has worked the State this wrong.
Not with the waves alone: with rebel's hate,
With friend's distrust, he battled. Slowly grew
Our confidence in him who steered us out.
Danger that found him faithful, crowns him great.
The Ship of State sails on; but of her crew
Who well might take the helm, he being gone?
What sub-type of article is it?
Sonnet
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Political
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Garfield Assassination
Ship Of State
Presidential Elegy
Political Leadership
National Mourning
Poem Details
Title
James A. Garfield.
Subject
On The Shooting Of President Garfield
Key Lines
Shot At His Post! We Never Knew How Strong
The Hand That Grasped The Helm, Till Came The Shock
A Pitiful Fool Has Worked The State This Wrong.
The Ship Of State Sails On; But Of Her Crew
Who Well Might Take The Helm, He Being Gone?