Before The Statue Of The Puritan. (In Merrick Square, Springfield.) By F. Whitmore. With sober foot unswerving, lip severe, And lid that droops to shield the inner sight; Dark-browed, stern-willed, a shadow in the light Of alien times, and yet no alien here; Revered and dreaded, loved, but yet with fear— He moves, the sombre shade of that old night Whence grew our morn, the ghost of that grim might That nursed to strength the nation's youth austere. Mark the grave thought that lines the hollow cheek, The hardy hand that guards the sacred book, The sinewy limb, and what the thin lips speak Of iron will to mould the era — look In reverence, and as you mutely scan The heroic figure, see, rough-limbed, a man. Originally Published in New England Monthly, 1900. | Springfield Page | | Hampden County | Western Mass History & Genealogy | These pages are © Laurel O'Donnell, 1999 - 2012, all rights reserved Copying these pages without written permission for the purpose of republishing in any format or posting to mailing lists is strictly forbidden This page was last updated on 25 January 2012