Stones from The Quarry or, Moods of Mind. By Henry Browne [i.e. Henry Ellison] |
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GREAT MEN STOOPING TO PEERAGES. |
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 | Stones from The Quarry |  |
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GREAT MEN STOOPING TO PEERAGES.
O littleness in greatness, meanness in pride!Under “the bushel” of a coronet
To hide a light like star in heaven set!
To petty pace conventional the stride
As of a giant dwarf, with “red-tape” tied;
With ceremonial forms and epithet
Of poor additions and mere counterfeit;
Belittled inwards, outwards magnified!
To set as star of the first magnitude,
Merged in an artificial galaxy!
The old name lost, the new not understood;
The great, which in men's mouths he was known by,
Obscured; true homage, due but unto Good,
Transferr'd, or render'd but vicariously.
| Stones from The Quarry | |