John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Robert Green Ingersoll 1833-1899 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| These heroes are dead. They died for liberty—they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or storm, each in the windowless palace of rest. Earth may run red with other wars—they are at peace. In the midst of battles, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. |
| Memorial Day Vision. |
| 2 |
| Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain to look beyond the heights. We cry aloud—and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry. From the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead there comes no word. But in the night of Death Hope sees a star and listening Love can hear the rustling of a wing. |
| At his Brother’s Grave. |
| 3 |
| An honest God is the noblest work of man. |
| Epigram. |
| 4 |
| Is there beyond the silent night An endless day? Is death a door that leads to light? 1 We cannot say. |
| Declaration of the Free. |
| Note 1. The Rubaiyat, stanza 64, “the door of Darkness.” [back] |