Among a mountain group one sovereign peak Will tower aloft unto commanding height As if more distant view abroad to seek-- First one to hail, last one to speed the light; Those granite sides will snows of winter streak E'en in the summer with their purest white;-- Silent, serene, that summit yet will speak Of loftiest grandeur to the enraptured sight; So Lincoln's greatness shone Supreme, unmatched, alone. [Illustration: LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT Photograph, Springfield, Ill., 1860] Charlotte Becker was born and has always lived in Buffalo, New York. She was educated in private schools and in Europe, and has written poems for _Harper's Magazine_, _The Metropolitan_, _The American_, _Life_, etc., besides a number of songs which have been set to music by Amy Woodfords-Finden, C. B. Hawley, Whitney Coombs and others. LINCOLN Gaunt, rough-hewn face, that bore the furrowed signs Of days of conflict, nights of agony, And still could soften to the gentler lines Of one whose tenderness and truth went free Beyond the pale of any small confines To understand and help humanity. Wise, steadfast mind, that grasped a people's need, Counting nor pain nor sacrifice too great To keep the noble purpose of his creed Strong against all buffeting of Fate, Though no least solace sprang of work or deed For him, since triumph came at last--too late. Brave, weary heart, that beat uncomforted Beneath its heavy load of grief and care; That tears of blood for every battle shed, Yet called on mirth to help his comrades bear The waiting hours of anguish, and that sped With loyal haste each breath of balm to share. Only his people's griefs were his; no part Had he within their joy; nor his the toll To know the love that made rebellion start, Spurred hosts unnumbered to a higher goal; That his great soul should cleanse a nation's heart, His martyred heart awake a nation's soul. [Illustration: CABIN OF LINCOLN'S PARENTS on Goose-Nest Prairie, Illinois]