The Great Cambridge Family

                                              – To The Rev. David N. Breach –

This blessed city is our home,

     And we are one great family;

The ties that bind us, strong are they,

     As lasting as eternity.

A home beloved and revered,

     A home made famous since its birth;

A home whose light of warmth and power,

     Shines out and over all the earth.

A home whose children, hand in hand,

     For any cause of truth and right,

Doth rally to preserve her peace

     From hidden foe and ruinous blight.

The years have come, the years have gone,

     But ever on with upward stride,

Our Cambridge moves for God and truth,

     New England’s hope, New England’s pride.

And now her noblest son, her strength,

     By God’s appointment bids adieu;

To bear our mottoes, hopes and truths

     To wider fields and pastures new.

And who is there, so well as he,

     Could represent our city blest?

And while we mourn, and wipe a tear,

     We compliment the lucky west.

March 11, 1896

Sent to be read at Union Hall, during Mr. Beach’s reception,

March 13, 1896, but owing to the lengthy program it had to

be omitted. A nice letter from Prof. Peabody.

     Poem published in Camb. Press, Mar. 14, ’96.

From Cambridge Chronicle, March 14, 1896: