Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

“ Thou whose plain, home-born speech of Yes and Nay
Thy truthful nature ever best became.
Death reaches not a spirit such as thine,—
It can but steal the robe that hid thy wings;
Though thy warm breathing presence we resign,
Still in our hearts its loving semblance clings.
Peaceful thy message, yet for struggling right,—
When Slavery's gauntlet in our face was flung,—
While timid weaklings watched the dubious flight
No herald's challenge more defiant rung. ”

“ To match the daisy and the daffodil.
In the brave records of our earlier time
A hero's deed thy generous soul inspired,
And many a legend, told in ringing rhyme,
The youthful soul with high resolve has fired. ”