Poem by Henry Livingston

An Elegy on the Death of Montgomery Tappen

The sweetest, gentlest, of the youthful train,
Here lies his clay cold upon the sable bier!
He scarce had started on life’s varied plain,
For dreary death arrested his career.

His cheek might vie with the expanded rose,
And Genius sparkled in his azure eyes!
A victim so unblemish’d Heaven chose,
And bore the beauteous lambkin to the skies.

Adieu thou loveliest child! Adieu adieu!
Our wishes fain would follow thee on high.
What more can friendship - what more fondness do,
But drop the unbidden tear & heave the sigh?

Ye youths whose ardent bosoms virtue fires,
Who eager wish applause and pant for fame,
Press round MONTGOMERY’S hearse, the NAME inspires
And lights in kindred souls its native flame.

COLUMBIA grateful hails the tender sound
And when MONTGOMERY’S nam’d still drops a tear,
From shore to shore to earth’s remotest bound
Where LIBERTY is known that NAME is dear.

1. To the Memory of Sarah Livingston
2. Acknowledgement
3. Catharine Breese Livingston
4. The Vine & Oak
5. A Tenant of Mrs. Van Kleeck

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