African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

George Reginald Margetson, "Ulysses S. Grant" (1928)

Soul of the brave, beside thy tomb we pause
   To voice thy praise at thy centenary
Lincoln's right hand in Freedom's flowering cause,
   Which raised a nation out of slavery;
In the dark hour the people looked to thee,
   When North and South in bloody conflict clashed.
Thou delt'st the blow that crushed the conquering Lee
   As a huge wave against a cliff is dashed,
Magnanimous in triumph--nobly scored,
   And won the highest honor of the state.
Thine act of chivalry redeemed the sword,
   A man of sympathy, sublimely great.
Today thy name in loving praise we chant,
   A nation's idol--the immortal Grant.


Published in Saturday Evening Quill, 1928

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