Charles H. Phillips. Obit November 5th, 1881
The poem is a tribute to Charles H. Phillips, who died on November 5th, 1881. It reflects the speaker's admiration for Phillips' character and legacy. The poem highlights his virtues, such as kindness, generosity, and humility. The speaker also notes Phillips' impact on those around him, describing him as a source of comfort and inspiration.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1876 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric · 220 words
First lines
O friend! There is no way To bid farewell to thee! The words that we would say Above thy grave to-day Still falter and delay And fail us utterly.
When walking with us here, The hand we loved to press Was gentle, and sincere As thy frank eyes were clear Through every smile and tear Of pleasure and distress.
In years, young; yet in thought Mature; thy spirit, free, And fired with fervor caught Of thy proud sire, who fought His way to fame, and taught Its toilsome way to thee.
So even thou hast gained The victory God-given -- Yea, as our cheeks are stained With tears, and our souls pained And mute, thou hast attained Thy high reward in Heaven!
What this Textopian page supports
Charles H. Phillips. Obit November 5th, 1881 is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1876 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Lyric, Religious, Historical
- Length: 220 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Charles H. Phillips. Obit November 5th, 1881 by James Whitcomb Riley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem is a lament for the deceased, expressing sorrow and mourning, typical of an elegy.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, a hallmark of lyric poetry.
- Religious — The poem references spiritual themes, such as the afterlife and divine reward.
Tags
Poem · Elegy · Funeral · Mourning · Loss · Grief · Death · Obituary · Tribute · Memorial · Literary · Verse