The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-11-08
EDITOR'S CHAT.

DIR. Oliver Nen0eu Holmes, poet, PaViio''
essayist, scientist and humanitarian, the last
leaf" of the great American poets, Bryant,
Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier, and best beloved
of all. because he came nearer TO the hearts OF
the people, is enrolled with the immortals.
Oliver Wendell Holmes was boy about Bos-
ton when it was proposed to break up the
frigate Constitution as unfit for service. 1t
was then the patriotic muse Of this young
scion of the Revolution famed with sacred
fire. and "Old Irousides was given to the ad-
miriDg world.
By way of introduction, in "a Metricai
Essay" afterwards published, embracing this
poem, Dr.. Holmes said:
There was an hour when patriots dared profane
The mast that Britain strove 10 bow IN vain
And one, who listened TO the tale OF shame,
Whose heart still answered In The sacred name,
Whose eyes still followed DER his cOunry's tides
Thy glorious flag our brave Old lTonsldesl
From yon lone attic, on a Summers morn,
Thus Knocked the spoilers with sehool-boy's
scOrn.
Ay tear her tattered ensign DOWN.
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced 10 see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath il rung the battle shout,
And burst the lannon's roar
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no morei
Her deck, once red with heroes blood,
Where knelt the van9ushed foe,
When winds were hurrying DER the food
And waves were white below.
No more shall feel tie vctor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle OF the seal
o, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneagh the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep.
And there should be her grave;
Nail 10 her mast her holy dag,
Set every threGdbRre salt.
And give her 10 the god o! storms
The lightning and he gale
And what a glorious tribute 20 TIE fag in
which DIR. Holmes likers it to splendid flower:
Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedoms flower,
Shall ever float on dome and tower.
To ali their heavenly colOTs true
IN blackening frost OF crimson dea,
And God love us Rs We love thee
Thrice holy Flower Of LibsrlyI
Then hail the banner OF the fees
The Starry Flower Of Liberty
LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
To his latest day DR.. Holmes. whose son.
bearing his own name, Judge Oliver Wendell
Holmes, was Colonel in Massachusetts, regi-
ment, retained his interest in the flag and our
reunited country. One Of his latest autograph
letters was written TO Kate B. Sherwood, COM
nending patriotic poem which she had writ
ten for public occasion, aud which she closed
with this sentiment:
o veterans OF the blue and gray
Who fought on shiloh field,
The promises Of God are true,
His counsel stands revealed,
The paBgs OF war have rent the vail
And 10 the high decree:
One heart. one hope, one destiny,
One flag from sea TO sea
DR.. Holmes writes as follows:
4" i cannot let your verses, so full of the spirit
Of patriotism, pass without word of hearty re-
cognition. am sure your audience whether in
blue or gray. must have responded to your
generous sentiments, and am Tejoieed that the
occasion found a singer who could give express
sion to the feelings which belong to a reunited
people in language SO inspiring to those who
we're kindled by its recollcctions"
In his poem. f" The Last Leaf" as full of
tears as laughter. DIR. Holmes describes an old
soldier of the Revolution in very much the
came way that the boy poet cfthe Goth century
will describe the last survivor OF the war for
the preservation Of the Union. 1t has been
sung and recited for 80 years and more.
THE LAST LEAF.
IsAw him once before
As he passed by Tie door.
And again
The pavement stones resound
As he totiers DER the ground
With his cane.
They say that in his prime
Ere gbe pruuing-knife Of Time
Cut him down,
Not a better man found
BY the CTier IN his roUud
Through the town.
But now lac walks the streets
Aud he looks a. all lac meets
Sad and wan.
And lac shakes his feeble head
That 81 seems Hs II be said,
They are gone"
The messy marbles rest
On The lips that hc has pgest
la their bloom,
And The names he loved 10 hear
Have been carved for many a year
On TIER tomb
Ny grandmamma has said
Poor OLD lady she Is dead
Long ago.
That he lad Roman nose,
And bis cheek WAS ike the rose
Ia the snow.
But now lis nose is thin,
Aud q rests upon his chin
Like a staff,
And crook il ia his back
And n melancholy erack
Ia nis laugh.
know ii is a sin
For rso to eli and grin
At him here:
Bot The old ihree-cOTnered hat,
Arc the brooches. and all that,
Are so queer.
AHo " j should 1--we 10 be
Tie last leaf upon the tree
Ia the Spring
let them smile. a. ] do now
Al the old foTsaSen bough
Where cling
C. c. SKETCH
BIZ John ". Hurphy. Wheatla1d, no.
Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cam
bridge, Mass. Aug. %, 1902 and died in Boston
Cd Oct. z, 1894.
He was partly educated at Phillips Acad
envy, Exeter. graduating at Harvard Uni
versity in 1923. After graduating he studied