Poems; original and translated by Charles Rann Kennedy ... and Two Poems by the Rev. Rann Kennedy. New Edition. By Charles Rann Kennedy |
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NATIONAL IMMORALITY. |
 | Poems; original and translated |  |
NATIONAL IMMORALITY.
1839.
Talk not of earth's, but man's unfruitfulness:
Tis we that barren are; of earnest zeal,
Of hearts that boldly think and nobly feel;
Courage, that scorns the humble to oppress,
To serve the vicious, or the proud caress;
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Virtue, that labours for the commonweal.
A selfish tribe no Providence will bless.
Behold; within our realm hath grown apace
A crop of foul desires and passions base,
Of vanities and vices, that pollute
The air of England and her sons disgrace.
Till from the nation's heart these weeds ye root,
What hope that it can bear a goodly fruit?
| Poems; original and translated | |