Peter Cooper

By Joaquin Miller (1841–1913)

An American inventor and philanthropist. He is chiefly remembered by his founding and endowment of Cooper Union, designed to benefit the working classes. He died on April 4, 1883.

GIVE honor and love for evermore

To this great man gone to rest;

Peace on the dim Plutonian shore,

Rest in the land of the blest.

I reckon him greater than any man

That ever drew sword in war;

I reckon him nobler than king or khan,

Braver and better by far.

And wisest he in this whole wide land

Of hoarding till bent and gray;

For all you can hold in your cold dead hand

Is what you have given away.

So whether to wander the stars or to rest

Forever hushed and dumb,

He gave with a zest and he gave his best—

Give him the best to come.

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