Part 3 — Scene II. The White House.

Colfax Oglesby Lincoln

Lincoln This for you, Colfax. (Hands him a pass) Come in at nine to-morrow. I’m off soon for the theatre with my wife— A little party. Grant was going too; Has changed his mind, goes north with Mrs. Grant. There’ll be an audience to see the hero Of Appomatox. Oglesby Well, rather you, I think Who picked Grant for the work, and brought the war To end, as it has ended. Lincoln Oh, not me. I am familiar as an old shoe here. I’d say the war is ending. There may be Some battle yet. Colfax Mere sputterings of the flame. Lincoln Well, something’s on. I had my dream last night Which I have had before, so often, always Before some great event: I’m in a boat, And swiftly move toward a shadowy shore. I had this dream preceding Bull Run, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Antietam. It may be A battle’s on this minute. I think so. It must relate to Sherman. For I know No other great event to follow my dream. Oglesby Our dreams are made of days lived long ago: Your boat’s perhaps your flat boat at New Salem. Colfax I’m happy to live now, the war is won. God bless you, Mr. President, keep you too. Lincoln You will excuse me, gentlemen. I go, For Mrs. Lincoln waits.

Oglesby The other day Lincoln was with Charles Sumner down the James, Was reading Shakespeare, read aloud three times Those lines which read: “Duncan is in his grave, After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well; Treason has done his worst: nor steel nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing Can touch him further.” Colfax Did you note to-night He looked those words: “Nothing can touch him further”? These months before how ghastly gray his face! What droop of melancholy in his eyes! What weariness without words, what ultimate woe! And now to-night he stood transfigured here Clothed in a great serenity and a joy As if his life had wrought what he would have it. Oglesby Yes, he is changed. Shall we go on?