"WHEN I HAVE BORNE IN MEMORY"

          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:                     10
          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!