pride's pictures. 229 



Strive then, oh, man, to rear thy crest on high — 



Since sense alone, exalted and refined. 

 Can estimate th' essence of a " sigh," 



Or guide to heaven light's briUiant germ of mind. 



Sure, 'tis enough that life should end with earth ; 



What miracle 's impossible above ? 

 All other thoughts lie smothered in mind's birth — 



Man's second birth of life — supernal love. 



In this dense wilderness of shame and guilt. 



In this so ample, unexplored abode, 

 Where Poverty secures what crumbs are spilt 



By Riches, on the which its pride had trode : — 



In this emporium of a nation's weal. 



This modern Babel of unrighteousness. 

 On the Bard's ear the sighs of sorrow steal. 



And the last throes of merit in distress. 



The Janus Lawyer — pleader at the bar ; 



The soft-tongued Doctor with his victim pale : 

 All these, with many more, Man's interests mar. 



As on he travels through life's chequer'd vale. 



The lion-hearted sailor braves the deep : 



The soldier emulates a Picton's fame : 

 Your senatorial hireling, sunk to sleep. 



Lists not the patriot tell his country's shame ! 



Th' unlettered politician, Roman-wise, 



Like Marcus Curtius, down the gulf would leap : 



Alas, for manhood in some clown's disguise ! 

 Pity for England, when her honour's cheap ! 



The generous Cit, retired from noise and wealth. 



The honest recompense of hard-earned years :' 

 Who never draws his purse-strings out by stealth. 



Compared with those, how noble he appears ! 



Nor Lord, nor Prelate, boast a heart like his ; 



They only conjugate the verb " to be ;" 

 Higher and higher up th' ascent to bliss. 



Forgetful of thy path, futurity ! 



Amid the vast turmoil of action here, 



'Tis good to mark e'en Beauty's bosom rise: 

 To see, sometimes, the sympathetic tear. 



Pearl the chaste cheek of virtue's liquid eyes. 



