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William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

Verses: ‘The sage, whom rival nations join to praise’

On Dr. Franklin shedding a tear while signing the Federal Constitution

THE SAGE, whom rival nations join to praise,

Whose lengthen’d span one patriot scene displays,

Revolving, in his spacious mind, the fate

Of millions, toiling in the servile state—

With ardour grasp’d the pen to sign the plan

Which gave his country all the rights of man.

“Enough,” he cried—“my God, I ask no more—

Excuse, my friends, a tear:—I am FOURSCORE.”