THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN

By William Cullen Bryant

(1794-1878)

William Cullen Bryant was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, chief on November 3, 1794. He worked for the New York Evening Post. Eventually he raised to part owner and editor in.

Bryant used the Post to crusade for the causes in which he believed, among them free trade, free speech, and the abolition of slavery. A leader of the anti-slavery Free-Soil movement within the Democratic Party, he was one of the founders of the Republican Party. He was also an early political backer of Abraham Lincoln and a staunch supporter of the Union during the War Between the States.

Among Bryant's major works were Thanatopsis and his own versions of The Illyiad and The Odyssey. After living a long life and amassing great wealth, Bryant died after a fall in1878. He was 84 years old.

 

Oh, slow to smite and swift to spare,

Gentle and merciful and just!

Who, in the fear of God, didst bear

The sword of power, a nation's trust.

 

In sorrow by thy bier we stand,

Amid the awe that hushes all,

And speak the anguish of a land

That shook with horror at thy fall.

 

Thy task is done; the bound are free;

We bear thee to an honored grave,

Whose proudest monument shall be

The broken fetters of the slave.

 

Pure was thy life; its bloody close

Hath placed thee with the sons of light,

Among the noble host of those

Who perished in the cause of Right.

 

 

Analysis Poem

In this poem, "Oh, slow to smite and swift to spare, " shows us that He was hard to anger and would rather save live instead of battling. This shows his love for us.

"Gentle and merciful and just" I think that this line should read, "Gentle, merciful, and just!" not as it is read.

" Who, in the fear of God, didst bear/ The sword of power, a nation's trust" this line has good meaning and is an essential fraise in the poem.

" And speak the anguish of a land/That shook with horror at thy fall." This line shows the feelings of the people at the death of Lincoln.

" Among the noble host of those/ who perished in the cause of Right." He is with All the noble men that died during that bloody war.

 

This poem has several literary devices including a rhyme scheme of ABAB. A steady rhythm, metaphors like the sword of power a nation's trust. Alliteration repeating the constant sound of "s" witch represents the whispering of the bystanders when Lincoln was shot.

 

 

WEB SITES USED

http://users.erols.com/kfraser/

BY JOSH WOODCOCK 8-1 FISHER Jr.-Sr. High School

 

 

 

 

Civil War Era Journal entries of:

Sarah Ann Cromer

BY JOSH WOODCOCK 8-1

 

 

March 13, 1864

Today I am 49 years old. I am still on the way to heaven. Let what will come, my faith is still strong, my soul has peace with God. Children, here me, when Rush left home to go to camp, I put on a mourning caused me to wear it was I feared I would forget him in prayer bag that very day. I wear it day and night on my left side near my heart. What when I ought not. Often do I lay my hand on it as thought I had it on his head in prayer to Almighty God. To my surprised one day I found it at my feet. It had fallen off. That caused new grief. I left my house for secret prayer. I went and there I prayed to my Father which is in Heaven to spare him and never let him die till he is ready for heaven. He doesn't enjoy religion and all, so if my prayer would be answered, Lord let me dream of him tonight and I will be satisfied. I asked the same request again in prayer to God. It was answered again. I dreamed I saw him at home close to the pump under the walnut tree. I heard him say "Murder, murder, this is a year of murder. "I turned away weeping. So I awoke. I will trust my Lord, I will live by faith in the son of God.

 

ANALYSIS OF JOURNAL ENTRY

 

THIS JURNAL ENTRY IS NOT WRITEN VERY WELL. THE SENTENCE STRUCTUR IS POOR AND THE PUNCUATION IS TERIBLE. THE ENTRY IS ABOUT DEATH AND LOVE THE WRITER IS TALKING TO GOD AND IS ASKING TO SEE HER HUSBAND BEFORE SHE DIES. SHE IS AGENST THE WAR AND CALLS IT MURDER. SHE IS VERY EMOTIONAL ABOUT HER WRITING