Ernest The Rule of Right. Second Edition [by Capel Lofft] |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
 | Ernest |  |
Ah! who can look
Upon such passages in life as this,
'Strangement of blood from blood, father 'gainst son,
Satanic eld 'gainst youth, fraud against faith;
Nor blush for manhood? Ah, man's worshipful grace,
Grace or grimace, both worshipful alike!
And oh the ape's grin, yet more worshipful
And worthier! for it shams no feeling, and speaks
No lie; nor slaves itself to any ape-gang
In manacled companionship, where each
Being bound by such shrewd ties as cut to the quick
Whome'er they bind, must bear both gall and jar
When his gang-fellow, starting frowardly,
Or swerving waywardly from his right line,
Or flinging himself foully on the path,
Drags the whole chain awry.
Upon such passages in life as this,
'Strangement of blood from blood, father 'gainst son,
Satanic eld 'gainst youth, fraud against faith;
Nor blush for manhood? Ah, man's worshipful grace,
Grace or grimace, both worshipful alike!
And oh the ape's grin, yet more worshipful
And worthier! for it shams no feeling, and speaks
No lie; nor slaves itself to any ape-gang
In manacled companionship, where each
Being bound by such shrewd ties as cut to the quick
Whome'er they bind, must bear both gall and jar
When his gang-fellow, starting frowardly,
Or swerving waywardly from his right line,
Or flinging himself foully on the path,
Drags the whole chain awry.
| Ernest | |