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171
SONNET:
WRITTEN ON HEARING OF THE DEATH OF JAMES, EARL OF ELGIN.
Strong head, clear eye, warm heart, and ready hand;Each tried—none failing, in the perilous hour;
Calm with the well-won consciousness of power;
True Noble: wise to guide, strong to command;
Still in life's flush, though with unresting toil
For human weal in many regions, grey;
By hopeful millions hailed but yesterday;—
Now cold in death!—far from the Scottish soil
Thou so didst love.—Yet, by affection's tear
Thy grave was hallowed: and we have thy fame!
And though full many a lofty, generous aim
Has died with thee,—thy brief, brave life will bear
Immortal fruitage. Fit thy destiny:
To die in harness—as a Bruce should die.
January 1864.
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