Book 2 — Washington's Birthday
Reading edition
The bells of Mount Vernon are ringing to-day,
And what say their melodious numbers
To the flag blooming air? List, what do they say?
"The fame of the hero ne'er slumbers!"
The world's monument stands the Potomac beside,
And what says the shaft to the river?
"When the hero has lived for his country, and died,
Death crowns him a hero forever."
The bards crown the heroes and children rehearse
The songs that give heroes to story,
And what say the bards to the children? "No verse
Can yet measure Washington's glory.
"For Freedom outlives the old crowns of the earth,
And Freedom shall triumph forever,
And Time must long wait the true song of his birth
Who sleeps by the beautiful river."
Hezekiah Butterworth.