Classic Poem

How shall we mourn the glorious dead?
What trophy rear above his grave—
For whom a nation's tears are shed,
A nation's funeral banners wave!

Let Eloquence his deeds proclaim
From sea-beat strand to mountain goal;
Let Hist'ry write his peaceful name
High on her truth-illumined scroll.

Let Poetry and Art through Earth,
The page inspire, the canvass warm—
In glowing words record his worth,
In living marble mould his form.

A fame so bright will ever shine,
A name so dear immortal be;—
He laid upon his country's shrine
The charter of her liberty.

Praise be to God! thy love bestowed
The chief, the patriot, and the sage;
Praise God! to thee our fathers owed
This fair and goodly heritage.

The sacred gift Time cannot mar,
But Wisdom guard what Valor won—
While beams serene her guiding star,
And Glory points to Madison.