A nobleness to try for,
A name to live and die for.

A nobleness to try for,
A name to live and die for.

Washington--a fixed star in the firmament of great names, shining
without twinkling or obscuration, with clear, beneficent light.

Washington--a fixed star in the firmament of great names, shining
without twinkling or obscuration, with clear, beneficent light.

'Twas his ambition, generous and great
A life to life's great end to consecrate.

'Twas his ambition, generous and great
A life to life's great end to consecrate.

While Washington's a watchword, such as ne'er
Shall sink while there's an echo left to air.

While Washington's a watchword, such as ne'er
Shall sink while there's an echo left to air.

That name was a power to rally a nation in the hour of
thick-thronging public disasters and calamities; that read more

That name was a power to rally a nation in the hour of
thick-thronging public disasters and calamities; that name shone
amid the storm of war, a beacon light to cheer and guide the
country's friends; it flamed too like a meteor to repel her foes.

Where may the wearied eye repose,
When gazing on the Great;
Where neither guilty glory glows,
read more

Where may the wearied eye repose,
When gazing on the Great;
Where neither guilty glory glows,
Nor despicable state?
Yes--one the first, the last, the best,
The Cincinnatus of the West
Whom envy dared not hate,
Bequeathed the name of Washington
To make man blush; there was but one.

Here you would know, and enjoy, what prosperity will way of
Washington. For a thousand leagues have nearly the read more

Here you would know, and enjoy, what prosperity will way of
Washington. For a thousand leagues have nearly the same effect
with a thousand years.

America has furnished to the world the character of Washington!
And if our American institutions had done nothing else, read more

America has furnished to the world the character of Washington!
And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that
alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind.

Since ancient Time began,
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden--
The weight of read more

Since ancient Time began,
Ever on some great soul God laid an infinite burden--
The weight of all this world, the hopes of man,
Conflict and pain, and fame immortal are his guerdon.