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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE DEATH OF A REPUBLICAN PATRIOT AND STATESMAN, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Soon to the grave descends each honored name Last Line: Nor traitors triumph while the patriot dies. Subject(s): American Revolution; Patriotism; Reed, Joseph (1741-1785) | |||
SOON to the grave descends each honoured name That raised their country to this blaze of fame: Sages, that planned, and chiefs that led the way To Freedom's temple, all too soon decay, Alike submit to one impartial doom, Their glories closing in perpetual gloom, Like the bright splendours of the evening, fade, While night advances, to complete the shade. REED, 'tis for thee we shed the unpurchased tear, Bend o'er thy tomb, and plant our laurels there: Your acts, your life, the noblest pile transcend, And Virtue, patriot Virtue, mourns her friend, Gone to those realms, where worth may claim regard, And gone where virtue meets her best reward. No single art engaged his vigorous mind, In every scene his active genius shined: Nature in him, in honour to our age, At once composed the soldier and the sage -- Firm to his purpose, vigilant and bold, Detesting traitors, and despising gold, He scorned all bribes from Britain's hostile throne, For all his country's wrongs he held his own. REED, rest in peace: for time' s impartial page Shall raise the blush on this ungrateful age: Long in these climes thy name shall flourish fair, The statesman's pattern and the poet's care; Long in these climes thy memory shall remain, And still new tributes from new ages gain, Fair to the eye that injured honour rise -- Nor traitors triumph while the patriot dies. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ANCIENT PROPHECY by PHILIP FRENEAU BARNEY'S INVITATION by PHILIP FRENEAU ON THE DEATH OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN by PHILIP FRENEAU ON THE EMIGRATION TO AMERICA AND PEOPLING WESTERN COUNTRY by PHILIP FRENEAU ON THE MEMORABLE VICTORY OF PAUL JONES by PHILIP FRENEAU ON THE RUINS OF A COUNTRY INN by PHILIP FRENEAU THE INDIAN BURYING GROUND by PHILIP FRENEAU THE WILD HONEYSUCKLE by PHILIP FRENEAU TO A CATY-DID by PHILIP FRENEAU TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE AMERICANS UNDER GENERAL GREENE by PHILIP FRENEAU |
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