From out the borders of the morn, VI And when no mortal motion jars The blackness round the tombing sod, Thro' silence and the trembling stars Comes Faith from tracts no feet have trod, And Virtue, like a household god VII Promising empire; such as those You ask me, why, tho' ill at ease, It is the land that freemen till, That sober-suited Freedom chose, The land, where girt with friends or foes A man may speak the thing he will; A land of settled government, A land of just and old renown, Where Freedom slowly broadens down From precedent to precedent : Where faction seldom gathers head, But by degrees to fullness wrought, The strength of some diffusive thought Hath time and space to work and spread. Should banded unions persecute When single thought is civil crime, Tho' Power should make from land to land The name of Britain trebly greatTho' every channel of the State Should fill and choke with golden sand— Yet waft me from the harbour-mouth, The palms and temples of the South. Of old sat Freedom on the heights, The thunders breaking at her feet: There in her place she did rejoice, Then stept she down thro' town and field Grave mother of majestic works, Her open eyes desire the truth. The wisdom of a thousand years Is in them. May perpetual youth Keep dry their light from tears; That her fair form may stand and shine, Make bright our days and light our dreams, Turning to scorn with lips divine The falsehood of extremes ! Love thou thy land, with love far-brought True love turn'd round on fixed poles, 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, Tho' sitting girt with doubtful light. Make knowledge circle with the winds; Watch what main-currents draw the years: Nor toil for title, place, or touch Not clinging to some ancient saw; That from Discussion's lip may fall With Life, that, working strongly, binds— Set in all lights by many minds, To close the interests of all. For Nature also, cold and warm, Meet is it changes should control So let the change which comes be free A saying, hard to shape in act; |