 | [Poems by Whittier in] A Study of Whittier's Apprenticeship as a Poet |  |
TARIFFIANA, NO. 2
(“The only true policy for America is entire freedom of trade. Every other system is false, delusive, and hazardous.”
Liverpool Advertiser)
Hark! the voice of John Bull, who with fatherly care,
Still watches the nation he governed of old,
And breathes for its weal a benevolent prayer,
Whenever the tale of our greatness is told!
Still watches the nation he governed of old,
And breathes for its weal a benevolent prayer,
Whenever the tale of our greatness is told!
Take heed to its warning;—the wisdom of ages—
In disinterested benevolence proffered;
Each word of advice, and each maxim, worth pages
Of all that our short-sighted statesmen have offered.
In disinterested benevolence proffered;
Each word of advice, and each maxim, worth pages
Of all that our short-sighted statesmen have offered.
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Fools!—fools! that ye are, will ye listen to them—
To Jefferson, Clinton, and Madison when
Immaculate Britain is heard to condemn
The maxims that governed those prejudiced men?
To Jefferson, Clinton, and Madison when
Immaculate Britain is heard to condemn
The maxims that governed those prejudiced men?
Why talk of our statesmen?—the thought is absurd,
From Britain your notions of policy draw—
Henceforth be the voice of our leaders unheard,
And the nod of John Bull understood as a law.
From Britain your notions of policy draw—
Henceforth be the voice of our leaders unheard,
And the nod of John Bull understood as a law.
Hurra for Old England!—let that be the cry,
Which shall gladden the arrogant lord of the waves;
Hurra for John Bull!—let it ring to the sky
'Till the ghosts of your fathers shall start from their graves.
Which shall gladden the arrogant lord of the waves;
Hurra for John Bull!—let it ring to the sky
'Till the ghosts of your fathers shall start from their graves.
Let the eagle that soars with the wings of the storm—
The bird of our country, his wanderings check;
Bend lowly in homage the pride of his form,
That the foot of the Lion may rest on his neck.
The bird of our country, his wanderings check;
Bend lowly in homage the pride of his form,
That the foot of the Lion may rest on his neck.
Such is England's advice—will ye dare disobey,
And call her kind counsel the whisper of guile?
Shall the thought of your fathers a moment outweigh
The love which ye bear to the “fast-anchored” isle?
And call her kind counsel the whisper of guile?
Shall the thought of your fathers a moment outweigh
The love which ye bear to the “fast-anchored” isle?
Haverhill Gazette, April 18, 1829
| [Poems by Whittier in] A Study of Whittier's Apprenticeship as a Poet | |