CONTEMPTI PIMA. CONTEMNUNTUR VIRTITTES.
There are who whisper to us to come down From our high place; and, 'mid our Christmas mirth, While at the feast still sate the spectre Dearth, The Cynic cried : "What profit in renown?"
But louder came the answer, as to drown That cavil : "Greatness is the prize of worth, Oar fathers bled to free a groaning earth, And earth in guerdon gave her laurell'd crown ; We must not lose it." Smallness in a State Doth breed small shrunken souls, of puny span; Great fortunes, like divinity, create Erect great spirits of heroic plan, High thoughts, high pleasures, not the parish-mind„ All for itself, and nothing for mankind.
IV.
As men who shrink from high and hardy pains, Already take the downward, easy curve, And find, too late, they have what they deserve ; "With love of greatness love of virtue wanes :" Ill fares the land that reckons loss and gains Too narrowly. We must not shrink or swerve Because the height is greater than our nerve, Or seek with safer courses smoother plains Inglorious. Far better, far, to be One of the brave who climb, and look not back, Who choose the upward path, the bleeding track, Than one who, floating on a soft blue sea, Steers for the Siren-isle, the shelter warm, Pilot of ease, not comrade with the storm. A. G. B.
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