alone—

All claims that bind and sweeten life unknown.

24

Here, by the bonds of nature feebly held,

Minds combat minds, repelling and repell’d;

Ferments arise, imprison’d factions roar,

Repress’d ambition struggles round her shore—

shore—

Till, over-wrought, the general system feels

Its motions stopp’d, or frenzy fire the wheels.

Nor this the worst. As nature’s ties decay,

As duty, love, and honour fail to sway,

Fictitious bonds, the bonds of wealth and law,

Still gather strength, and force unwilling awe.

Hence all obedience bows to these alone,

And talent sinks, and merit weeps unknown;

Till time may come, when stripp’d of all her charms,

The land of scholars, and the nurse of arms—

arms—

Where noble stems transmit the patriot flame,

 Prev. P 33/189 next