Victory Near the Plaza

“Sherman Led by Victory” 
Is a St. Gaudens statue, 
A cast-bronze allegory. 
With Victory as a woman 
Pulling his horse’s bridle 
Out of a sculptor’s stable. 
Leading him off the pedestal 
Into a bronze fable.

I used to think Sherman 
A beautiful buffoon. 
But the dark sincerity 
Of angel and warrior 
Has laid its hands on me. 
In the end She always wins. 
Here a bronze beauty 
Cast by St. Gaudens.

—Lawrence Dugan