| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | December 4 | | On Washington’s Farewell Address | | By St. John Honeywood (1763–1798) |
| | Dec. 4, 1783
* * * * * BEHOLD the man! ye crowned and ermined train, | |
| And learn from him the royal art to reign; | |
| No guards surround him, or his walks infest, | |
| No cuirass meanly shields his noble breast; | |
| His the defence which despots ne’er can find, | 5 |
| The love, the prayers, the interest of mankind. * * * * * | |
| Illustrious man, adieu! yet ere we part, | |
| Forgive our factions which have wrung our heart; | |
| Still with indulgent eyes thy country see, | |
| Whose ceaseless prayers ascend to heaven for thee; | 10 |
| Go, midst the shades of tranquil Vernon stray, | |
| In vain attempt to shun the piercing ray | |
| Of circumambient glory, till refined | |
| All that could clog to earth the heaven-lent mind, | |
| Then sour triumphant to the blest abodes, | 15 |
| And join those chiefs whom virtue raised to gods. | | | | |
|
|
