OF old sat Freedom on the heights, The thunders breaking at her feet : Above her shook the starry lights: She heard the torrents meet. There in her place she did rejoice, Self-gather'd in her prophet-mind, But fragments of her mighty voice Then stept she down thro' town and field To mingle with the human race, And part by part to men reveal'd Grave mother of majestic works, From her isle-altar gazing down, Who, God-like, grasps the triple forks, N 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; Before her to whatever sky Bear seed of men and growth of minds. Watch what main-currents draw the Cut Prejudice against the grain : But gentle words are always gain: Regard the weakness of thy peers: years: Nor toil for title, place, or touch Not clinging to some ancient saw; Not master'd by some modern term; Not swift nor slow to change, but firm: And in its season bring the law; 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; Ev'n now we hear with inward strife A slow-develop'd strength awaits The warders of the growing hour, But vague in vapour, hard to mark ; And round them sea and air are dark With great contrivances of Power. |