Thomas Starr King

Published originally as a prelude to the posthumous volume of selections edited by Richard Frothingham.

THE GREAT work laid upon his twoscore years

Is done, and well done. If we drop our tears,

Who loved him as few men were ever loved,

We mourn no blighted hope nor broken plan

With him whose life stands rounded and approved

In the full growth and stature of a man.

Mingle, O bells, along the Western slope,

With your deep toll a sound of faith and hope!

Wave cheerily still, O banner, half-way down,

From thousand-masted bay and steepled town!

Let the strong organ with its loftiest swell

Lift the proud sorrow of the land, and tell

That the brave sower saw his ripened grain.

O East and West! O morn and sunset twain

No more forever!—has he lived in vain

Who, priest of Freedom, made ye one, and told

Your bridal service from his lips of gold?

1864.