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Poem
February 18, 1843
The Cecil Whig
Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland
What is this article about?
A patriotic ode celebrating George Washington's birthday, honoring his role in guarding freedom during the American Revolution, his enduring legacy, and national gratitude after a century.
Clipping
OCR Quality
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Excellent
Full Text
Washington's Birth Day
BY GEORGE D. PRENTICE.
Why swell a million hearts as one,
With mem'ries of the past?
Why rings out yon deep thunder-gun
Upon the rushing blast?
Why hold the beautiful, the brave,
The Jubilee of earth?
It is, it is the day, that gave
Our patriot hero birth!
We offer here a sacrifice
Of hearts to him, who came
To guard young Freedom's paradise
With sword of living flame!
To him, who, on war's whirlwind loud,
Rode like an angel-form,
And set his glory on the cloud,
A halo of the storm!
A hundred years, with all their train
Of shadow, have gone by,
And yet his glorious name remains,
A sound that cannot die!
Tis graven on the hill, the vale,
And on the mountain tall,
And speaks in every sounding gale,
And roaring water-fall!
No marble on his resting spot
Its sculptured column rears,
But his is still a nobler lot,
A grateful nation's tears!
Old Time, that bids the marble bow.
Makes green each laurel leaf,
That blooms upon the sainted brow
Of our immortal chief!
His deeds were ours—but through the world
That mighty chief will be
Where glory's banner is unfurled,
The prophet of the free!
And, as they bend their eagle eyes
On Victory's burning sun,
Their shouts will echo to the skies—
"Our God, and Washington!"
BY GEORGE D. PRENTICE.
Why swell a million hearts as one,
With mem'ries of the past?
Why rings out yon deep thunder-gun
Upon the rushing blast?
Why hold the beautiful, the brave,
The Jubilee of earth?
It is, it is the day, that gave
Our patriot hero birth!
We offer here a sacrifice
Of hearts to him, who came
To guard young Freedom's paradise
With sword of living flame!
To him, who, on war's whirlwind loud,
Rode like an angel-form,
And set his glory on the cloud,
A halo of the storm!
A hundred years, with all their train
Of shadow, have gone by,
And yet his glorious name remains,
A sound that cannot die!
Tis graven on the hill, the vale,
And on the mountain tall,
And speaks in every sounding gale,
And roaring water-fall!
No marble on his resting spot
Its sculptured column rears,
But his is still a nobler lot,
A grateful nation's tears!
Old Time, that bids the marble bow.
Makes green each laurel leaf,
That blooms upon the sainted brow
Of our immortal chief!
His deeds were ours—but through the world
That mighty chief will be
Where glory's banner is unfurled,
The prophet of the free!
And, as they bend their eagle eyes
On Victory's burning sun,
Their shouts will echo to the skies—
"Our God, and Washington!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Patriotism
War Military
Liberty Independence
What keywords are associated?
Washington Birthday
Patriot Hero
Freedom Paradise
War Whirlwind
Glorious Name
National Tears
Immortal Chief
What entities or persons were involved?
By George D. Prentice.
Poem Details
Title
Washington's Birth Day
Author
By George D. Prentice.
Subject
Washington's Birthday
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
It Is, It Is The Day, That Gave
Our Patriot Hero Birth!
To Guard Young Freedom's Paradise
With Sword Of Living Flame!
A Hundred Years, With All Their Train
Of Shadow, Have Gone By,
And Yet His Glorious Name Remains,
A Sound That Cannot Die!
His Deeds Were Ours—But Through The World
That Mighty Chief Will Be
Where Glory's Banner Is Unfurled,
The Prophet Of The Free!
"Our God, And Washington!"