On Washington’s Farewell Address

By St. John Honeywood (1763–1798)

Dec. 4, 1783
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BEHOLD the man! ye crowned and ermined train,

And learn from him the royal art to reign;

No guards surround him, or his walks infest,

No cuirass meanly shields his noble breast;

His the defence which despots ne’er can find,

The love, the prayers, the interest of mankind.

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Illustrious man, adieu! yet ere we part,

Forgive our factions which have wrung our heart;

Still with indulgent eyes thy country see,

Whose ceaseless prayers ascend to heaven for thee;

Go, midst the shades of tranquil Vernon stray,

In vain attempt to shun the piercing ray

Of circumambient glory, till refined

All that could clog to earth the heaven-lent mind,

Then sour triumphant to the blest abodes,

And join those chiefs whom virtue raised to gods.