Madmoments: or First Verseattempts By a Bornnatural. Addressed to the Lightheaded of Society at Large, by Henry Ellison |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | Madmoments: or First Verseattempts |  |
FREEDOM.
1.
What need of Uproar, Violence, and lowBrute Strength, to work out such a holy End
As that whereto all Goodmens 'wishes tend?
Let no unfitting Means inform the Foe
That we so ill true Freedom's Nature know,
As to believe ourselves compelled to rend
Intwain Law's holy Bonds, ere we can bend
Unreason's stubborn Will to Truth! not so!
Law is itself the mighty Lever by
Which Wisdom works; and when the moral Weight
And Strength of an whole People with it try
Conclusions, it can build up a Freestate
From the Foundations, yet as noiselessly,
As Truth her fairest Fabrics can create!
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2.
Why should the millionvoicëd People makeVain Uproar, like a Child! like one who knows
Not his own Strength? when in the calm Repose
And Consciousness of toiling for Man's sake,
E'en with its slightest Whisper it can break
Asunder all the Shackles Custom throws
Upon its Neck, and with the viewless Blows
Of Truth omnipresent destroy the Snake,
The manyheadëd, Prejudice—let each
Man claim his Rights, and be the Rights of one
As sacred to his Fellow as his own,
For such they are if rightly looked upon!
Then shall a chain be forged whose Links will reach
Down to the Beggar, strong in Right to teach
E'en the proud Monarch trembling on his Throne,
That Spear and Sword are powerful to preach
Obedience to Slaves and Fools alone!
| Madmoments: or First Verseattempts | |