MOUNT VERNON.
Nay, let his dust in peace repose,
His ashes there in silence sleep.
Fond memory there its sunlight throws;
There, unseen forms their vigils keep.
His ashes there in silence sleep.
Fond memory there its sunlight throws;
There, unseen forms their vigils keep.
He sleeps in silent glory there.
Man's labor ne'er his rest invades.
No heedless step, no busy care,
Disturbs Mount Vernon's sacred shades.
Man's labor ne'er his rest invades.
No heedless step, no busy care,
Disturbs Mount Vernon's sacred shades.
That spot is consecrated now.
There cease the tones of idle mirth.
Millions in grateful homage bow;
'T is freedom's holiest shrine on earth.
There cease the tones of idle mirth.
Millions in grateful homage bow;
'T is freedom's holiest shrine on earth.
What though no sculptured marble tells
His name, who sleeps the stone below?
The heart of every freeman swells,
The record of his fame to show.
His name, who sleeps the stone below?
The heart of every freeman swells,
The record of his fame to show.
Though in Mount Vernon shall remain,
The form whose spirit rests above;
Or the proud Capitol contain
The sacred dust of him we love;—
The form whose spirit rests above;
Or the proud Capitol contain
The sacred dust of him we love;—
Let us but keep the blessing pure,
Still free the land he toiled to save;
Long, long as ages shall endure,
Fame shall illume his lowly grave.
Still free the land he toiled to save;
Long, long as ages shall endure,
Fame shall illume his lowly grave.
Nor can a prouder, purer fame
Upon those marble walls e'er rest.
His record is one glorious name:
His monument,—each freeman's breast.
1833.
Upon those marble walls e'er rest.
His record is one glorious name:
His monument,—each freeman's breast.
1833.