| Publication information |
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Source: Buffalo Review Source type: newspaper Document type: poem Document title: “NcKinley [sic] Dead” Author(s): Le Gallienne, Richard City of publication: Buffalo, New York Date of publication: 16 September 1901 Volume number: 19 Issue number: 86 Pagination: 4 |
| Citation |
| Le Gallienne, Richard. “NcKinley [sic] Dead.” Buffalo Review 16 Sept. 1901 v19n86: p. 4. |
| Transcription |
| full text |
| Keywords |
| William McKinley (death: poetry); William McKinley (mourning: poetry). |
| Named persons |
| none. |
| Notes |
| Both this one (below) and a preceding poem appear on the same page under the collective heading “Poems in Honor of the Nation’s Dead.” |
| Document |
NcKinley [sic] Dead
“Hats off!” they said,
“The President is dead;”
And somewhere overhead
A dark bell tolled and tolled;True man, pure soul, brave heart,
How foul a thing to do!
Why didn’t they kill anyone,
Dear President, but you!
But you—how could they dream
A dream of hurt to you,
True American, if ever an American were true.God knows He knows your worth.
And He knows how much we care.
Ah! I wish you could have seen,
Dear martyr, lying there,
Our eyes before youd [sic] died,
And I wish you could have heard
The little sobbing word
When the news was verified.Well, a fool has shot you down,
A fool in freedom’s name.
Yet, you’re living all the same;
You’re living in our love,
Though you’re lying in the grave—
True, pure and brave.The tears of all the world
Lie on your grave like dew;
The eyes of the whole world
Are wet for loss of you.
For you and the brave life
That lived so near to you.