THE FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE 229 



no less, but even higher and wider, -will I mete and 

 measure for our wants to-day and here. I demand 

 races of orbic bards, with unconditional, uncompro- 

 mising sway. Come forth, sweet democratic despots 

 of the west ! " 



Here is another passage of a political cast, but 

 showing the same great pinions and lofty flight : — 



" It seems as if the Almighty had spread before 

 this nation charts of imperial destinies, dazzling as 

 the sun, yet with lines of blood, and many a deep 

 intestine difficulty, and human aggregate of canker- 

 ous imperfection, — saying, Lo ! the roads, the only 

 plans of development, long, and varied with all ter- 

 rible balks and ebullitions. You said in your soul, 

 I will be empire of empires, overshadowing all else, 

 past and present, putting the history of Old World 

 dynasties, conquests, behind me as of no account, — 

 making a new history, the history of Democracy, 

 making old history a dwarf, — I alone inaugurating 

 largeness, culminating time. If these, O lands of 

 America, are indeed the prizes, the determinations 

 of your Soul, be it so. But behold the cost, and al- 

 ready specimens of the cost. Behold the anguish 

 of suspense, existence itself wavering in the balance, 

 uncertain whether to rise or fall; already, close be- 

 hind you and around you, thick winrows of corpses 

 on battlefields, countless maimed and sick in hos- 

 pitals, treachery among Generals, folly in the Execu- 

 tive and Legislative departments, schemers, thieves 

 everywhere, — cant, credulity, make-believe every- 

 where. Thought you greatness was to ripen for you, 



