[Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States during the stormiest years of that nation"s history. But for his leadership and guidance, the civil war that raged between the southern states and the rest of the Union would possibly have divided the American people for ever.
Five days after the surrender of the Southern army, Lincoln was shot dead by a half-crazed assassin. Here is a poem about Lincoln"s death, written by a famous American poet. The Captatin is Lincoln; can you guess what ship it is that he has guided safely past dangers into a peaceful haven?]
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,The ship has weathered every rack. the prize we sought is won,The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;But oh heart! heart! heart! Oh the bleeding drops of red!
Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills,For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding,For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;Here, Captain ! dear father ! This arm beneath your head !
It is some dream that on the deck You"ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells ! But I, with mournful tread,Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
Walt Whitman.
Author.-Walt Whitman.(1819-1892), "the unique poetic celebrant of Democracy." During his life he was printer, editor, teacher, and a nurse in the American Civil War. His poetry is found in Leaves of Grass, in the form of curious, irregular, recitative verses. He published one prosework, Specimen Days.
General Notes.-Why is the State like a ship? Name some of our Australian captains. What was the "fearful trip"? Write a little essay on Lincoln.
Drawn by R.C.Fricke
The Lincoln Memorial at Washington, U.S.A.