170 



TO FREEDOM. 



But approach! thou delight of the children of men ! 

 Not less than of birds, both of grove and of glen, 

 Fair Freedom ! approach ! not, as often of yore, 

 In the dark robes of terror, and hands stain'd with 



gore; 

 O come, in thy gentleness silvery bright, 

 And diffuse o'er the world thy benevolent light ; 

 Take the Virtues, — the maidens of Peace, by the 



hand; 

 Let persuasion, not force, be thy word of command; 

 Bring with thee affectionate Feeling and Love, 

 So that those who contemn be constraint to approve ; 

 Let Knowledge thy constant attendant e'er be, 

 And man, become wise, will then only be free. 

 The Birds, too, shall hail thee, — around thee shall 



throng, — 

 In one loud bursting shout of symphonious song. 



Water-Ouzels, too, came, and the oft-calling 



Quail, 

 Pugnacious, — Teals many, but not a Land-Rail ; 

 While the Widgeons and Pochards, and rich 



Golden-Eye, 

 'Midst the Bean-Geese and Brent-Geese were 



seen oft to fly. 

 Came the Eider-Duck also from isles of the west, 

 Where she dwells most secure in her soft downy nest. 



