The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-03-06
Gems In Verse
LINcoLN's LAST DREAM.

~ the air were April bells,
a And the wings of purple swallows
4 Z rested on the battle shells.
From the wars long scene of hor. "A
ror now the nation found re-
lease.
All the day the old war bugles blew the /
blessed notes of peace.
Thwart the twilights damask curtains fell
the night upon the land,
Like Gods smile of benediction Swallowed ,
family by his hand.
In the twilight in the dusk light in the \
starlight, everywhere,
Banners waved like gardened flowers in
the palpitating air.
In arts temple there We're greetings, gen |
tie hurryings of feet,
And triumphant strains of music rose
amid the numbers sweet.
Soldiers gathered. heroes gathered, wcm-
en- beautiful were there.
viii he come the land s beloved, there to
rest an hour from care?
Will he come who for the people long the
cross of pain has borne,
Prayed in silence, wept in silence, held the
hand of God alone?
Will he share the hour of triumph now his
mighty work is done.
Here receive the peoples plaudits now the
victory is won?
Der thy dimpIed waves, Potomac, softly
now the moonbeams creep;
Der far Arlington's green meadows, where
the brave forever sleep.
'Tis Good Friday. Bells are toIlihg; bells
of chapels beat the air
On thy quiet shores. Potomac; Arlington,
serene and fair
And he comes, the nations hero, from the
White House. worn with care;
Hears the name of Lincoln" ringing in
the thronged streets everywhere;
Hears the bells-what memories to his
Il
Hears the plaudits of the people as he
gains the Hall of Art.
Throbs the air with thrilling music, gayly
onward sweeps the play,
But he little heeds the laughter, for his
thoughts are far away,
And he Whispers family. sadly: oft
blessed form l see
Walking calmly mid the people on the
shores of Galilee.
Oft I've wished his steps to follow. Gently
listen wife of mine.
When the cares of state are over will so
to Palestine.
/ And the paths the blessed follow I will
walk from sea to sea,
+ Follow him who healed the people on the
/ shores OF Galilee."
Hung the flag triumphant DER him. and
his eyes with tears were dim,
Though a thousand eyes before him lifted
/ Forms of statesmen, forms of heroes, wo-
men beautiful were there,
/ But it was another vision that had Gained
his brow of care,
Tabor glowed in light before him, Carmel
in the evening sun,
. Faiths strong armies grandly marching
through the vale of Esdralon;
Bethany's palm shaded gardens. where the
Lord the sisters met.
And the Paschal moon arising DER the
brow of Olivet.
Now the breath of light applause rose the
tempted arches through,
Stirred the folds of silken banners, min.
gled red and white and blue,
But the dreamer seemed to heed not, rose
the past his eye before
Armies guarding the Potomac, flashing
through the Shenandoah;
Gathering armies. darkening waves. he
roes marching forth to die;
Chickamauga, Chattanooga and the Battl
of the Sky;
Silent prayers to free the bondmen in TIL
ordeal of fire,
And Gods angels sword uplifted to fulfil
, his hearts desire
Thought he Of the streets of Richmond OF
the late triumphant day
When the swords of vanquished leader
at his feet surrendered lay,
When amid the sweet bells ringing all tn
, sable multitudeS
Shouted forth the name of ''Lincolni" Xix
rushing of the floods;
Thought of all his heart had suffered, a
! his struggles and renown,
: / Dreaming not that just above him lifte
was the martyrs crown.
Seeing not the dark form stealing throug
the music haunted air,
: Knowing not that mid the triumph th
betrayer's feet were there.
: April morning: flags are blowing: 'thwal
each flag a sable bar.
> Hear the peoples benedictions: hear til
, nations praise the dead.
Lovely land of Palestine, he thy shore
: will never see;
But, his dream fulfilled, he follows hi
who walked in Galilee.
U -Hezekiah Butterworth