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 | Poems descriptive, dramatic, legendary and contemplative |  |
168
THE DECAY OF A PEOPLE.
This the true sign of ruin to a raceIt undertakes no march, and, day by day
Drowses in camp, or, with the laggard's pace,
Walks sentry o'er possessions that decay;
Destined, with sensible waste, to fleet away;—
For the first secret of continued power
Is the continued conquest;—all our sway
Hath surety in the uses of the hour;
If that we waste, in vain wall'd town and lofty tower!
| Poems descriptive, dramatic, legendary and contemplative | |