 | Grouped thoughts and scattered fancies |  |
58
LXXX.
THE PURITANS.
ON SEEING WEIR'S NATIONAL PICTURE
Men were ye!—fearless and strong hearted men,Firm in endurance, resolute for right,
Ready to beard the Lion in his den,
And, slow to conflict, slower still in flight!
I heed not of your bigotry, that grew
From a too-easily persuaded self;—
Nor yet of your strong appetite for pelf,—
Hard toils and slender gains might prompt that too!
But ye were men!—brave, earnest, whole-soul'd men,
Forever battling in the good old cause,
Of man!—his rights, his liberties and laws,
And, over all, his progress! Be it then,
Your glory to have struggled through the strife,
Renewed, and sure of still-renewing life.
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