The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1894-06-02
Washington POst.]
A ALONG-FORGOrTEN POEM
Mrs. sigourney's Tribute to the Mother Of
Washington Sixty-one Years Ago.

Slxty-One years ago a poem, entitled
The Mother of Washington. was
written by Lydia Sigourney. at the
time the cornerstone of the first monu-
ment owas laid. The Post is indebted
to Mrs. Claudio 3. Money for COPY of
this poem. speaking Of which she
says:
1T is a touching coincidence-the
utter destruction of the first tomb, and
the complete forgetfuness of this poet.
who was at this time very popular: but
her writings are to be found now only
in old libraries. embalmed in cream
and gold. So do all pass from the
minds OF men. So had the memory of
Mary Washington become dim in the
recollection OF the people, until some
sudden patriotic thought struck the
noble women who rescued her from OBJ
livion. We seem to be looking abroad
in the land for the names of our illus
trlous dead, and all great deeds. to
commemorate in bronze and marble,
1t is we'll to raise these landmark. 70
perpetuate the history OF those who
have made America first in the nations
OF the earth-that those who come after
/ may CllulttlE ttIlu lbllO" tDGln.
The poem by Mrs. Sigournev is rs
! follows;
The Mother Of Wa>hin.ton.
Long haS thou slept unnotcd Nature stole
J IN her soft minStrelSy around thy irh
Spreading her vernai tissue viott-g.1nm'd
Ard peari'd with dcw>.
She babe bright summer bring
Gifts OF frank incense, with sweet song of
birds.
And Autumn east his reaper'> coronet
Sternly OF mans neglect: but now we cone
To do the homage. mother of our chief:
Fit homage. such as honoreth him also pays.
Methinks we see thee as in Olden time.
Simple in garb. ma ieSti", and serene,
thmnved by poinp or circumstance III
truth
Infe xible. and with a spartan zeal
| depressing vice. and making folly grave.
Thou dids't not Gtt!n it Womun's p;tru to
Life in in-lorous slotl to sport awhile
Amid he tlow'rs. or on the summer, %avr.
Then feet like epl"mernn. away.
Building no temple in her chidl"ns hearts.
Save to The vanity and pride Of life
Which She had wurship'd
For the might that clothed
) The "Pater Patri;e" for the glorious deeds
That make Mount Eernou'> tomb Mecca
shrine
For all on earth; what thanks to thee are
=, Who mid his elements OF being wrought.
We know not heaven can tell.
| Rise sculptured pile.
And show a race unborn. who sleeps below;
: And say to mothers Il holy charge
Is theirs: with What Il kln-ly pDW'r their
, love
Might rule the fountains of the unborn
mind.
, Warn them to wake at early dawn. and SOW
Good seeds before the world hath sown her
tareS.
Nor In their toll decline. that angel hands
May put the sickle in. and reap for God.
And gather to His garner, ye. who stand
With thrilling breast to view her trupiteL
praise.
Who nobly rear'd Virginia's godlike chief
5 lc. whose last thought upon your nightly
couch.
Whose first. at waking. is your Graded son.
' What through no high ambition prompts to
rear
} A second Washington. or leave your name
Wrought out in marble, with nation 8
tears
: OF deathless gratitude. yet may you rai>a
a A monument above the sturs--a soul
Led by your teachings and your prayers to
i God.