LOVE thou thy land, with love far-brought Within the Present, but transfused True love turn'd round on fixed poles, For English natures, freemen, friends, But pamper not a hasty time, Nor feed with crude imaginings The herd, wild hearts and feeble wings, Deliver not the tasks of might To weakness, neither hide the ray From those, not blind, who wait for day, Though sitting girt with doubtful light. Make knowledge circle with the winds; Bear seed of men and growth of minds. Watch what main-currents draw the years: Cut Prejudice against the grain: But gentle words are always gain : Regard the weakness of thy peers : Nor toil for title, place, or touch Of pension, neither count on praise : Nor deal in watchwords overmuch; Not clinging to some ancient saw; Not swift nor slow to change, but firm : That from Discussion's lip may fall With Life, that, working strongly, binds— To close the interests of all. For Nature also, cold and warm, Thro' many agents making strong, Matures the individual form. Meet is it changes should control We all are changed by still degrees, All but the basis of the soul. So let the change which comes be free To ingroove itself with that, which flies, And work, a joint of state, that plies Its office, moved with sympathy. A saying, hard to shape in act; For all the past of Time reveals Ev'n now we hear with inward strife A slow-develop'd strength awaits The warders of the growing hour, But vague in vapour, hard to mark; And round them sea and air are dark With great contrivances of Power. Of many changes, aptly join'd, Is bodied forth the second whole. A wind to puff your idol-fires, Oh yet, if Nature's evil star Drive men in manhood, as in youth, Across the brazen bridge of war— |