There was tumbling of traitor fort, Flaming of traitor fleet,-- Lighting of city and port, Clasping in square and street. There was thunder of mine and gun, Cheering by mast and tent,-- When--his dread work all done, And his high fame full won-- Died the Good President. In his quiet chair he sate, Pure of malice or guile, Stainless of fear or hate,-- And there played a pleasant smile On the rough and careworn face; For his heart was all the while On means of mercy and grace. The brave old Flag drooped o'er him, (A fold in the hard hand lay,)-- He looked, perchance, on the play,-- But the scene was a shadow before him, For his thoughts were far away. 'Twas but the morn, (yon fearful Death-shade, gloomy and vast, Lifting slowly at last,) His household heard him say, "'Tis long since I've been so cheerful, So light of heart as to-day." 'Twas dying, the long dread clang,-- But, or ever the blessed ray Of peace could brighten to-day, Murder stood by the way,-- Treason struck home his fang! One throb--and, without a pang, That pure soul passed away. Idle, in this our blindness, To marvel we cannot see Wherefore such things should be, Or to question Infinite Kindness Of this or of that Decree, Or to fear lest Nature bungle, That in certain ways she errs: The cobra in the jungle, The crotalus in the sod, Evil and good are hers;-- Murderers and torturers! Ye, too, were made by God. All slowly heaven is nighing, Needs that offence must come; Ever the Old Wrong dying Will sting, in the death-coil lying, And hiss till its fork be dumb. But dare deny no further, Black-hearted, brazen-cheeked! Ye on whose lips yon murther These fifty moons hath reeked,-- From the wretched scenic dunce, Long a-hungered to rouse A Nation's heart for the nonce,-- (Hugging his hell, so that once He might yet bring down the house!)-- From the commons, gross and simple, Of a blind and bloody land, (Long fed on venomous lies!)-- To the horrid heart and hand That sumless murder dyes,-- The hand that drew the wimple Over those cruel eyes. Pass on,--your deeds are done, Forever sets your sun; Vainly ye lived or died, 'Gainst Freedom and the Laws,-- And your memory and your cause Shall haunt o'er the trophied tide Like some Pirate Caravel floating Dreadful, adrift--whose crew From her yard-arms dangle rotting,-- The old Horror of the blue. Avoid ye,--let the morrow Sentence or mercy see. Pass to your place: our sorrow Is all too dark to borrow One shade from such as ye.