RIDDLES OF CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. 363
When die the noble and the brave,
Who o'er their country's foes prevail,
A nation's funeral banners wave,
And thousands chant the mournful tale.
The cenotaph and sculptured bust,
Commemorative o'er them rise,
To consecrate their hallowed dust,
And guard the spot where valor lies.
But when the good and virtuous die,
They need no sculptured bust or stone;
Their virtues and their deeds supply
A glorious monument alone.
No gilded dome or mausole'm,
Upreared by skillful artist's hand,
Can give more glorious fame to them
Throughout their patriot father-land.
They live, the cherished and the dear, -
Embalmed within a Nation's heart,
And Spring may leave the circling year,
Ere thence their memories depart.
And this the monument of praise,
RIDDLE! thy numerous virtues claim,
The virtues of thy manhood's days,
Which consecrate thy spotless name.
Thou wast not of that servile race,
Who seek the honors of the State
And court the homage due to place,
The vilest ends to elevate.
Thine was that steady patriot's zeal,
That burns within the purest heart,
Which sought alone thy country's weal,
From every selfish view apart.
Truth was thy guide, the polar star,
To mark the limits of thy way,
Whose gleaming led thee from afar,
Nor let thy feet from virtue stray.
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Though fallen in thy manhood's prime,
Freemen the meed of praise shall give,
And long as rolls the tide of time,
Thy virtues in their hearts shall live.
In years to come the free and brave,
Who wander near thy resting spot,
Shall pause beside thy lowly grave,
And mourn thy sad and hapless lot.
And those who honored thee whilst here,
Shall oft frequent thy lonely tomb,
And pay the tribute of a tear
In mem'ry of thy early doom.
May no deceitful stone or bust,
Its flatt'ry to thy mem'ry give;
Thy faults shall slumber with thy dust,
Thy virtues in our memories live.
Alvis Riddle³ (1), youngest son of William2 (1), was born in Chatham
County, N. C., June 5, 1806; married Salina Pope, and had issue four
