James M. Whitfield's America and Other Poems: "Lines on the Death of J. Quincy Adams"

Table of Contents:
Cover Page
Dedication
Introduction
"America"
"Christmas Hymn"
"Lines on the Death of J. Quincy Adams"
"To Cinque"
"New Year's Hymn"
"To A.H."
"Love"
"How Long"
"The Arch Apostate"
"The Misanthropist"
"A Hymn"
"Yes! strike again that sounding string"
"To -------"
"Prayer of the Oppressed"
"To S.A.T."
"Delusive Hope"
"To M.E.A."
"A Hymn"
"Self-Reliance"
"Ode for the Fourth of July"
"Midnight Musings"
"Ode to Music"
"Stanzas for the First of August"
"The North Star"
(text of all poems)

Lines on the Death of J. Quincy Adams p1

"Lines on the Death
of J. Quincy Adams"
close-up 1 | 2 | 3

THE great, the good, the just, the true,
   Has yielded up his latest breath;
The noblest man our country knew,
   Bows to the ghastly monster, Death
The son of one whose deathless name
   Stands first on history’s brightest page;
The highest on the list of fame
   As statesman, patriot, and sage.

In early youth he learned to prize
   The freedom which his father won;
The mantle of the patriot sire,
   Descended on his mightier son.
Science, her deepest hidden lore
   Beneath his potent touch revealed;
Philosophy’s abundant store,
   Alike his mighty mind could wield.

The brilliant page of poetry
Received additions from his pen,

Lines on the Death of J. Quincy Adams p2

Of holy truth and purity,
   And thoughts which rouse the souls of men!
Eloquence did his heart inspire,
   And from his lips in glory blazed,
Till nations caught the glowing fire,
   And senates trembled as they praised!

While all the recreant of the land
   To slavery’s idol bowed the knee ---
A fawning, sycophantic band,
   Fit tools of petty tyranny ---
He stood amid the recreant throng,
   The chosen champion of the free,
And battled fearlessly and long
   For justice, right, and liberty.

What though grim Death has sealed his doom
   Who faithful proved to God and us;
And slavery, o’er the patriot’s tomb
   Exulting, pours its deadliest curse;
Among the virtuous and free
   His memory will ever live;

Lines on the Death of J. Quincy Adams p3

Champion of right and liberty,
The blessings, truth and virtue give.