Sic Semper Tyrannis!
By Robert Leighton
“Sic semper tyrannis!" the assassin cried,
As Lincoln fell. O villain! who than he
More lived to set both slave and tyrant free?
Or so enrapt with plans of freedom died,
That even thy treacherous deed shall glance aside
And do the dead man's will by land and sea;
Win bloodless battles, and make that to be
Which to his living mandate was denied!
Peace to that gentle heart! The peace he sought
For all mankind, nor for it dies in vain.
Rest to the uncrowned king, who, toiling, brought
His bleeding country through that dreadful reign;
Who, living, earned a world's revering thought,
And, dying, leaves his name without a stain.
Liverpool, England,
May 5, 1865
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Foully assassinated, April 14, 1865
Tom Taylor wrote the following poem, which appeared in the London Punch, May 6, 1865. The engraving is a facsimile of the one published in the paper at the head of the poem.