When I have borne in memory what has tamed
Great Nations，how ennobling thoughts depart
When men change swords for ledgers，and desert
The student’s bower for gold，some fears unnamed
I had，my Country—am I to be blamed?
Now，when I think of thee，and what thou art，
Verily，in the bottom of my heart，
Of those unfilial fears I am ashamed.
For dearly must we prize thee；we who find
In thee a bulwark for the cause of men；
And I by my affection was beguiled:
What wonder if a Poet now and then，
Among the many movements of his mind，
Felt for thee as a lover or a child!