Martyrdom of John Brown

Summary

So universal and widely related is any transcendent moral greatness – so nearly identical with greatness every where and in every age, as a pyramid contracts the nearer you approach its apex – that, when I now look over my commonplace book of poetry, I find that the best of it is oftenest applicable, in part or wholly, to the case, of Captain Brown. Only what is true, and strong, and solemnly earnest will recommend itself to our mood at this time. Almost any noble verse may be read, either as his elegy, or eulogy, or be made the text of an oration on him. Indeed, such are now discerned to be the parts of a universal liturgy, applicable to those rare cases of heroes and martyrs, for which the ritual of no church has provided. This is the formula established on high, – their burial service – to which every great genius has contributed its stanza or line. As Marvell wrote,

When the sword glitters o'er the judge's head,

And fear has coward churchmen silenced,

Then is the poet's time; 'tis then he draws,

And single fights forsaken virtue's cause.

He when the wheel of empire whirleth back,

And though the world's disjointed axel crack,

Sings still of ancient rights and better times,

Seeks suff'ring good, arraigns successful crimes.

The sense of grand poetry, read by the light of this event, is brought out distinctly, like an invisible writing held to the fire.