Show A 6 nw N w V A am A V A y aa V V ml I 1 it V A k za vt HIS LABORS ENDED peoples acclaim of washington as their hero journeyed to annapolis to lay i down his sword poem written for the unveiling ot of the tablet at severn cross roads where washington passed on his way to resign his commission at annapolis a LEIS HIS roads roadside ve sings again toj say day hero here where the barren tr branches anches sway and keen december winds sweep by beneath a cold and azure sky the old road read echoes to some tread of morning in a vanished hour when here the red cheeked checked courier sped and here the young lands pride and flower of glory and achievement came to add fresh glory to his name the villages had all come out to hear the news to watch about to catch some glimpse far up the way of washington glon who from the fray avd and from the council and the crest was riding down his sword to lay once more upon his count rys b reas I 1 while lie he stepped tack back to that sweet rest he yearned for yonder sounds a call I 1 A bugles note mayhap the fall of horse hoofs on the old ld state road F from rom evory every hamlet and abode aren genf women children hurry forth the wind is sweet though west test by north and keen with that sharp chill that iha i comes when ore on the hill the partridge drums this cay they look way and that mall know inow him by his coat coal and hat aen seen his face in pictures io so there apont be any doubt know k now but deep within their taci ir hearts they sl sigh know him ty by his hi forthright i eye his noble mien in ion his lofty frame his fitting filling in with road and sky As nature flat tild fits all great forms in and nd signs the portrait with her name the howg folk chatter smile and sri TAB old are aprons to a ie bo severe mere ind and stretch each of the ear to catch that first sharp clicking sound of the stage coach thundering on Us its way the hoof beat beal on the frozen ground that knows the kirl of tune to play il t fc some i in n s small balc g groups together gether to drawn walt wait on the green tench bench of a lawn and these in more sedate the wisdom of his act debate one rises who defends joesire the sire of his great land and vows with ire only a great mans way indeed to give up tip lofty place secede F from rom honors of such high degree putting ambition aside and fame upon the altar whence they came his count rys heart and stepping down from all the lure of high agh renown take his old place in life again one with all kindred geni gentlemen lemen some tell the story of his trip while others hark hanging lip U lp that thai parting at old P fraunces fraunces inn with those been his aids at tear ivar tears in his eyes and in his heart that aching that they feel who part p art with comrades and with friends dhove spent hours with them in the battlement bati lemeni of life of fate of hopes and dreams and brave ad long I 1 ong before then to lo the barge they see him h im go 90 at whitehall VAile hall ferry bowing low in all that stately form of grace at each bowed head and tear stained face and then that silent sweet adieu at paulus hook sad cords and few A silent waving of the hand back to his high and faithful band them with his face set hither strong in the high purpose ito ho had anade to heed no imploring of the throng but lay at his count rys feel his blade c then the triumphant jaunt begun those days of jour journeying heying ia the sun the plaudits pl audits of a nations t ons best poured round him at each stopping place and on the roads froin ft cm mile to mile always ome joins patriot in whose breast inviolate love had left its trace coming coining to bow by the road wd lied take and kiss the cold ground for hi his s dear sake philadelphian philadelphians Phila delphias ians loud acclaim then taen her royal bounty bauni bouni Y poured pou red as never ne ver poured before e by every county seat and county to pay due homage ho niage to Ms his name name and give awe him a welcome at this door of maryland hed remember long As is lifo life should last or dreams prolong their memories in his noble soul alt then en once aga again in the coach wheela aroll Wr oll s V H hes Os comin coming g sown dowa the ge generals way the old state stale road is gods gods and beneath his sparkling sun gods and the general genet at Washingto dr ten miles beyond the cross roads lies the capital oer yonder yon der rise 88 the severn smile asure skies where indian landing sleeps beside the murmuring music of that tide whose song gaslight as light as beauty cheers the silvering romance of the years hell pass here soon and this way rings tho the music of the morn had kings such love from those they rule ay at he it e ah well what kingdoms wei we should seel but he has struck down lings kings his sword had fought for freedom and the lord and now the cross roads teems with life the hour has come the keen winds knife Is cutting ander skin and lone bone but who cares for the cold 1 I 1 lone r I 1 grave figure shall aall re arm each heart I 1 an echo see how sharp ears cars start it is the general hooray and down the generals Hig highway hiva the yeomen who have seen him hi m pr follow in cheering groups one mass of burning and of patriot zeal cal to be first followers at his heel it is the general hooray this roadside sings again today this nation sings its heart stilt bowed before him in those dreams that bowd d the n vj canvas of the years there like a peer among hia pers the th e vision looms agaid and he stands in that room we tee still may see one hand behind his back and one laying that sword his ili s bravery won upon the table A shaft of cf light across A cross the senate afaf steals f A prelate in it the ilia foreground kneels enec ils A consecrated hour indeed that thai hour of high exalted need that noble and immortal act its spirit gleaming above its fact its soul af r beauty so made ma d e one I 1 with the me high hig sou soul of |