On the Death of President Harrison

By Miss Eliza R. Snow.

"Now to his ashes, honor-peace be with him,

And choice of angels sing him to his rest."

Why flows that strain of deep-ton'd sympathy?

Columbia mourns a great calamity!

What is that sorrow? 'Tis a country's grief:

Earth's proudest nation, mourns her highest Chief,

Who, like the rising sun, just usher'd forth,

Then disappear'd to shine no more on earth?

Our country's genius, ever wont to soar

Has never bow'd to grief like this, before;

'Tis true, she's mourn'd a fav'rite Washington,}

Her first born Chieftain; and a Madison-}

Monroe, and Adams, and a Jefferson;}

But their high office had been re-supplied;

They'd left the Hall of Justice ere they died-

They'd clos'd their services, and had retir'd,

And in retirement's soft repose expir'd.

But this bereavement, comes with heavier tread,

And from the nation, takes her acting head;

Whom a free people's suffrage plac'd on high

To guide her helm, beneath a threat'ning sky!

Death aim'd an arrow at our highest trust

And laid the choice of millions in the dust!

Spread wither'd hopes and palsied prospects round

And into sorrow, chang'd the festive sound!

Columbia's willows now are bending low-

Our country's tears in lib'ral torrents flow.

Weep! weep Columbia! tears will grace thee now,

While grief lies heavy on the nation's brow;

Well may thy children now unite to spread

A wreath of sorrow o'er the Hero's head-

Unite to mourn our country's Chieftain gone-

The honor'd lov'd, lamented Harrison,

And bow submissive 'neath the chast'ning rod

And humbly own the mighty hand of God!

City of Nauvoo, May 21st, 1841.