A bought commission, a waxen face, A rabbit mouth that is ever agape- 3. Last week came one to the county town, To preach our poor little army down, And play the game of the despot kings, Tho' the state has done it and thrice as well: This broad-brim'd hawker of holy things, Whose ear is cramm'd with his cotton, and rings Down with ambition, avarice, pride, Jealousy, down! cut off from the mind Down too, down at your own fireside, With the evil tongue and the evil ear, For each is at war with mankind. 4. I wish I could hear again The chivalrous battle-song That she warbled alone in her joy! I might persuade myself then She would not do herself this great wrong To take a wanton dissolute boy For a man and leader of men. 5. Ah God, for a man with heart, head, hand, Like some of the simple great ones gone For ever and ever by, One still strong man in a blatant land, Whatever they call him, what care I, Aristocrat, democrat, autocrat-one Who can rule and dare not lie. 6. And ah for a man to arise in me, That the man I am may cease to be! |