SOURCE: "Fitz-Greene Halleck," in The Poetical Works

An illustration for "Burns, "from the 1869 collection of Halleck's works.

One of the most prominent American poets of the nineteenth century, Whittier wrote this poem to be read at the dedication of Halleck's statue in Central Park in May, 1877.

AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE.

Fitz-greene Halleck.

AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE.

Among their graven shapes to whom
Thy civic wreaths belong,
0 city of his love, make room
For one whose gift was song.

Not his the soldier's sword to wield,
Nor his the helm of state,
Nor glory of the stricken field,
Nor triumph of debate. 

In common ways, with common men,
He served his race and time
As well as if his clerkly pen
Had never danced to rhyme. 

If, in the thronged and noisy mart,
The Muses found their...