I praise him not; it were too late; And some innative weakness there must be In him who condescends to victory Such as the Present gives, and cannot wait, Safe in himself as in a fate. So always firmly he: He knew to bide his time, And can his fame abide, Still patient in his simple faith sublime, Till the wise years decide. Great captains, with their guns and drums, Disturb our judgment for the hour, But at last silence comes; These all are gone, and, standing like a tower, Our children shall behold his fame. The kindly-earnest, brave, foreseeing man, Sagacious, patient, dreading praise, not blame, New birth of our new soil, the first American.
Out of the mellow West there came A man whom neither praise nor blame Could gild or tarnish; one who rose With fate-appointed swiftness far Above his friends, above his foes; Whose life shone like a splendid star, To fill his people's hearts with flame; Who never sought for gold or fame; But gave himself without a price-- A willing, humble sacrifice-- An erring Nation's Paschal Lamb-- The great, gaunt, patient Abraham.
I never saw his wrinkled face, Where tears and smiles disputed place; I never touched his homely hand, That seemed in benediction raised, E'en when it emphasized command, What time the fires of battle blazed, The hand that signed the act of grace Which freed a wronged and tortured race; And yet I feel that he is mine-- My country's; and that light divine Streams from the saintly oriflamme Of great, gaunt, patient Abraham.
He was our standard-bearer; he Caught up the thread of destiny, And round the breaking Union bound And wove it firmly. To his task He rose gigantic; nor could sound Of menace daunt him. Did he ask For homage when glad Victory Followed his flags from sea to sea? Nay, but he staunched the wounds of war; And you owe all you have and are-- And I owe all I have and am To great, gaunt, patient Abraham.
The pillars of our temple rocked Beneath the mighty wind that shocked Foundations that the fathers laid; But he upheld the roof and stood Fearless, while others were afraid; His sturdy strength and faith were good, While coward knees together knocked, And traitor hands the door unlocked, To let the unbeliever in. He bore the burden of our sin, While the rebel voices rose to damn The great, gaunt, patient Abraham.