 | [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings |  |
SLANDER DIES IN LIGHT.
I.
From the coward who stabs in the darkWhat valor can give us protection?
But once let me know
Where to fix on my foe,
And see how he'll shrink from detection!
II.
The pride of the forest, whose strengthBends not to the hurricane's fury,
May fall by the sting
Of the venomous thing
Which the least of its small leaves would bring.
III.
But, drag forth the reptile, he'll writhe,He'll die when the day-beam is brightening,
As the mischievous lie
Of the imposture shall die
In the blaze of Truth's glorious lightning!
| [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings | |