What makes it so?

2. How did Lincoln come to write this letter? What
does the fact that he wrote it show about the man?
What was his object in writing it? Do you think he
succeeded? What consolation did he offer the
mother?

THE FLOWER OF LIBERTY

BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES

What flower is this that greets the morn,
Its hues from heaven so freshly born?
With burning star and naming band
It kindles all the sunset land:
Oh, tell us what its name may be,-- 5
Is this the Flower of Liberty?
It is the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!

In savage nature's far abode
Its tender seed our fathers sowed; 10
The storm winds rocked its swelling bud,
Its opening leaves were streaked with blood,
Till lo! earth's tyrants shook to see
The full-blown Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free, 15
The starry Flower of Liberty!

Behold its streaming rays unite
One mingling flood of braided light,--
The red that fires the Southern rose,
With spotless white from Northern snows, 20
And, spangled o'er its azure, see
The sister stars of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty!

The blades of heroes fence it round,
Where'er it springs in holy ground;
From tower and dome its glories spread;
It waves where lonely sentries tread;
It makes the land as ocean free, 5
And plants an empire on the sea!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty.

Thy sacred leaves, fair Freedom's flower,
Shall ever float on dome and tower, 10
To all their heavenly colors true,
In blackening frost or crimson dew,--
And God love us as we love thee,
Thrice-holy Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free, 15
The starry Flower of Liberty.

1. What is "The Flower of Liberty?" Does Holmes
gain anything by calling it a flower? Substitute
its real name and read the poem through thus, to
test y