WILLIAM PINKNEY FISHBACK

Say first he loved the dear home-hearts, and then

He loved his honest fellow citizen —

He loved and honored him, in any post

Of duty where he served mankind the most.

All that he asked of him in humblest need

Was but to find him striving to succeed;

All that he asked of him in highest place

Was justice to the lowliest of his race.

When he found these conditions, proved and tried,

He owned he marvelled, but was satisfied —

Relaxed in vigilance enough to smile

And, with his own wit, flay himself a while.

Often he liked real anger — as, perchance,

The summer skies like storm-clouds and the glance

Of lightning — for the clearer, purer blue

Of heaven, and the greener old earth, too.

All easy things to do he did with care,

Knowing the very common danger there;

In noblest conquest of supreme debate

The facts are simple as the victory great.

That which had been a task to hardiest minds

To him was as a pleasure, such as finds

The captive-truant, doomed to read throughout

The one lone book he really cares about.

Study revived him: Howsoever dim

And deep the problem,‘ twas a joy to him

To solve it wholly; and he seemed as one

Refreshed and rested as the work was done.

And he had gathered, from all wealth of lore

That time has written, such a treasure store,

His mind held opulence — his speech the rare

Fair grace of sharing all his riches there —

Sharing with all, but with the greatest zest

Sharing with those who seemed the neediest:

The young he ever favored; and through these

Shall he live longest in men's memories.