Is self-denying power, that virtue rare. To which ambition oft the wise allures; He who can brave the storm not alway sun endures. XVII. That lust of sway, of noble souls the vice, From the straight path of duty; every thought Who in the school of warfare have been taught: Rose above passion's impulse, for the common weal. XVIII. He saw the war-cloud over Europe burst In the same cause for which Columbia rear'd Her standard; sympathies her watchful guardian fear'd. XIX. He dared the popular feeling to oppose, Tho' strong the current ran, its strength he braved; Despising evil tongues-he felt that those Who then against his righteous counsels raved, Would own from broils their country he had saved, When o'er America, while Europe bled, The mingling flags of peace and freedom waved: A light from which dark tyranny has fled Will long o'er nations free its healthy influence shed. XX. Are not the churches ocean-lights, that placed By storms the bark of life, the more they brighten; The day when truths divine shall through the world prevail. XXI. One universal chorus will arise Of praise to the Triune, though pride disdains Falsehood with truth, hating as mental chains The service of belief that faith ordains. The mystery that reasoning doubt repels, Lost dignity for fallen man regains : Man, whom to free from death the Word that dwells In light of light came down on earth, all worlds excels. XXII.: But transatlantic liberty with pride Till freedom seems oppression: words divide Time will not stay for us his chariot-wheels; XXIII. As the malaria rages where the air Seems purest on the hills o'erlooking Rome, That colour gives monopoly to "whites' Of freedom freely through the forests roam Beasts fair and tawny, having equal rights. With others soars the black eagle to equal heights. XXIV. It is not colour of the skin, but vice, Ransom'd from death, deny it those who can XXV. How long shall this anomaly endure, pure Fountain shall issue forth a poisonous stream Thy voice at length, Humanity, is heard, E'en where as yet thy cause most hopeless had appear❜d. XXVI. Those who would nations aggrandize, the wind Eternity! where now the counsels deep XXVII. Alas! is profitless the working brain That blight of fame; where worth is ne'er forgot! Of evil here the inextricable knot; Where glittering show of virtue does not blind The good, where those are known who loved indeed mankind. XXVIII. There is the germ of virtue, that has been Imperfectly developed here, matured. Many, whose merits are on earth unseen, Shall have their generous wishes thought-immured And love in energy of action strong, And joys intense exprest by eloquence of song. |