LOVE thou thy land, with love far-brought From out the storied Past, and used Within the Present, but transfused Thro' future time by power of thought. True love turn'd round on fixed poles, Love, that endures not sordid ends, For English natures, freemen, friends, Thy brothers and immortal souls. But pamper not a hasty time, Nor feed with crude imaginings The herd, wild hearts and feeble wings, That every sophister can lime. Deliver not the tasks of might To weakness, neither hide the ray From those, not blind, who wait for day, Though sitting girt with doubtful light. Make Knowledge circle with the winds; Before her to whatever sky Bear seed of men or growth of minds. Watch what main-currents draw the years: Cut Prejudice against the grain : But gentle words are always gain : Regard the weakness of thy peers : Nor toil for title, place, or touch Nor deal in watchwords overmuch; Not clinging to some ancient saw; Not swift nor slow to change, but firm : That from Discussion's lip may fall With Life, that, working strongly, binds- To close the interests of all. For Nature also, cold and warm, Thro' many agents making strong, Matures the individual form. Meet is it changes should control Our being, lest we rust in ease. We all are changed by still degrees, All but the basis of the soul. So let the change which comes be free A saying, hard to shape in act; For all the past of Time reveals Ev'n now we hear with inward strife The Spirit of the years to come A slow-develop'd strength awaits The warders of the growing hour, And round them sea and air are dark With great contrivances of Power. Of many changes, aptly join'd, Is bodied forth the second whole. A wind to puff your idol-fires, And heap their ashes on the head ; To shame the boasting words, we said, That we are wiser than our sires. Oh yet, if Nature's evil star Drive men in manhood, as in youth, Across the brazen bridge of war— |