| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | February 12 | | Abraham Lincoln | | By Joel Benton (1832–1911) |
| | (Born Feb. 12, 1809)
SOME opulent force of genius, soul and race, | |
| Some deep life-current from far centuries | |
| Flowed to his mind, and lighted his sad eyes, | |
| And gave his name, among great names, high place. | |
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| But these are miracles we may not trace— | 5 |
| Nor say why from a source and lineage mean | |
| He rose to grandeur never dreamt or seen, | |
| Or told on the long scroll of history’s space. | |
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| The tragic fate of one broad hemisphere | |
| Fell on stern days to his supreme control, | 10 |
| All that the world and liberty held dear | |
| Pressed like a nightmare on his patient soul. | |
| Martyr beloved, on whom, when life was done | |
| Fame looked, and saw another Washington! | | | | |
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