University of Virginia Library

Oft have I marked him, at some leisure hour,
Stretched on the grass, or seated in the shade,
Among his fellows, while an ample map
Before their eyes lay carefully outspread,
From which the gallant teacher would discourse,
Now pointing this way, and now that.—‘Here flows,’
Thus would he say, ‘The Rhine, that famous stream!
‘Eastward, the Danube toward this inland sea,
‘A mightier river, winds from realm to realm;
‘And, like a serpent, shows his glittering back
‘Bespotted—with innumerable isles:
‘Here reigns the Russian, there the Turk; observe
‘His capital city!’ Thence, along a tract
Of livelier interest to his hopes and fears,
His finger moved, distinguishing the spots
Where wide-spread conflict then most fiercely raged;
Nor left unstigmatized those fatal fields
On which the sons of mighty Germany
Were taught a base submission.—‘Here behold
‘A nobler race, the Switzers, and their land,
‘Vales deeper far than these of ours, huge woods,
‘And mountains white with everlasting snow!’
—And, surely, he, that spake with kindling brow,
Was a true patriot, hopeful as the best
Of that young peasantry, who, in our days,
Have fought and perished for Helvetia's rights—
Ah, not in vain!—or those who, in old time,
For work of happier issue, to the side
Of Tell came trooping from a thousand huts,
When he had risen alone! No braver Youth
Descended from Judean heights, to march
With righteous Joshua; nor appeared in arms
When grove was felled, and altar was cast down,
And Gideon blew the trumpet, soul-inflamed,
And strong in hatred of idolatry.”