University of Virginia Library


87

WEBSTER.—1851.

Let blooming boys, from stagnant cloisters freed,
Sneer at old virtues, and the Patriot's creed,
Forget the lessons taught at Valor's side,
And all their country's honest fame deride.
All are not such; some glowing blood remains
To warm the icy current of our veins,—
Some from the watch-towers still descry afar
The faintest glimmer of an adverse star.
When faction storms, when meaner statesmen quail,
Full high advanced, our eagle meets the gale!

88

On some great point where Honor takes her stand,—
The Ehrenbreitstein of our native land,—
See, in the front, to strike for Freedom's cause,
The mailed Defender of her rights and laws!
On his great arm behold a nation lean,
And parcel empire with the Island Queen;
Great in the council, peerless in debate,—
Who follows Webster takes the field too late.