 | Idyls and Songs |  |
129
LIII. TO HENRY HALLAM.
—μεγας εν μεγαλοις—
God's last and rarest gift,—in Thee o'er all
I count most honour'd Friends seen eminent—
Justice,—unfearing, inexpugnable
To the crowd's threats, or party blandishment;
—For this, whene'er the harsh fanatic cries
To crush Truth underfoot, with Liberty,
From bigots or in Church or Senate rise,
Beyond all reach of words I honour Thee:—
England for this will set thy name with those
Thy page emblazons for congenial worth,
At whose loved names th' impartial record glows:—
—With Him, who sightless to the pomps of earth,
In his own Paradise o'er England mourn'd,
And that Deliverer by the rabble scorn'd.
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