Publication information

Source:
Up from Georgia
Source type: book
Document type: poem
Document title: “William McKinley”
Author(s): Stanton, Frank L.
Publisher: D. Appleton and Company
Place of publication: New York, New York
Year of publication: 1902
Pagination: 176-77

 
Citation
Stanton, Frank L. “William McKinley.” Up from Georgia. New York: D. Appleton, 1902: pp. 176-77.
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
William McKinley (death: poetry); William McKinley (mourning: poetry).
 
Named persons
none.
 
Notes
From title page: By Frank L. Stanton, Author of “Songs of the Soil,” etc.
 
Document


William McKinley

I

Weeping skies that would seem to deplore him
     Cast shadows on stars and on suns;
Drooped flags that are shivering o’er him
     To a far-rolling thunder of guns!
And great bells that rock the starred steeples
     And moan to the heavens above,
But dearer than all things—a people’s
     Devotion and love!

II

O Northland and Southland far-sighing
     Your grief, in this hour unblest,
He died for his country, and dying
     Was folded in Love to her breast.
In the storm of the battle he towered
     A beacon—a strength to the brave,
And Freedom, low-kneeling, has showered
     Her tears on his grave. [176][177]

III

Fall, flags, o’er the sod where he’s lying;
     Moan, winds of the world, as ye sweep
Over States unto sad States replying,
     O’er oceans where deep calls to deep!
Clasp hands Time shall never dissever,
     Though Fate strike with wrath and with rod,
Where he rests in a world’s Love forever—
     In the great Peace of God!