An Honest Man

No soldier, statesman, hierophant, or king:
None of the heroes that you poets sing:
A toiler, ever since his days began;
Simple, though shrewd; just-judging, man to man;
God-fearing; learned in life's hard-taught school,
By long obedience lessoned how to rule;
Through many an early struggle led to find
That crown of prosperous fortunes — to be kind.

Lay on his breast these English daisies sweet,
Good rest to the grey head, and the tired feet,
That walked this world for seventy steadfast years!
Bury him with fond blessings, and few tears,
Tears only of remembrance, not regret.
On his full life the eternal seal is set
Unbroken, till the resurrection day.
So let his children's children go their way.
Go and do likewise, leaving 'neath this sod
An honest man — "the noblest work of God."