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Show 466 APPENDIX. While that which cradled me lies desolate In blvod and ashes ! It is bctt.cr here To stri\'C against the ruin :md misrule, 'l'hnn basely yield tho empire to the foe, 'Vhosc swny we might withstand ; and \vhosc abuse, Unchecked, were but the fruitful argument For thousnud years of woe! I would not lay These aged bones lo sleep in distant lands, Though pure and peaceful; but 'vould clos3 mine eye, Upon the s.·uno sweet skies-by temp2sts now 'f orn and disclouJed-upon which gladly first They opened with delight in infancy. This fondncsss, it may be, i;; but a. weakness Becoming not my manhood. ne it so ! I know that I am weak; but there's a passion, Thnt glows with loyal anger in my heart, And shows like virtue. I t forbids my flight; And, for my country's glory, and the safety Of our diHtracted and diminished ftock, Declares ho\f much more grateful were the strife-That proud defiance which I still have given To those fierce enemies, whoso sleepless bate Hath shamed and struck at both. I deem it better To struggle with injustice than submit; For still submission of the innocent Makes evident tho guilty ; and tho good, Who yield, but multiply the herd of foes, That raviu when the retribution sleeps ! Whnt hope were there for sad hum:mity, If still, when came the danger, fled the brave? Fled only to beguile, in fierce pursuit, The wolfish spoiler, leaving refuge none, In heart or homestead? Not for me to flyNot though, I hear, Ewrnn.l Sire! thy voice Still speaking with deep utterance in my soul, Commending my obedience. AU in vain, I strive to serve thee with 1mbmission meet, And move to do thy will. The earth grows up, Around mo ; and the aspects of my home, Enclose me like the mountains and the sea, Forbidding me to 8y them. Natural tics, That nrc ns God's, upon the mortal heart, Fetter me still to France ! and yet thou knowest, How reverent nnd unselfish were my toils, In this our people's cause. I have not spared Day or night labor ; and my blood hath flowed, Unstinted, in the strife that we have waged. The sword hath backed these limbs-the poisoned cup Hung at these lips. The ignominous death, From the uplifted scaffold, look'd upon me, Craving its victim; tho assassin's steel, Turned from my ribs, \Vith onrrowest graze avoiding The imperil'd life! Yet never have I shrunk, Because of these 8csb-dangers from the \vork Whereto my hand was set. Let me not now Turn from the field in flight, though still to lead The flock l11at I mu.st die for ! This I know ! I cnnnot alway1 'scape. The blow will come ! Not always will tho poisonous draught be spill'd, Or tho sharp steel be foil'd, or turn'd aside;- 467 |
