Page:Hazlitt, Political Essays (1819).djvu/393

 "Which fed my soul with currents, pure and fair, Of living truth, that now must stagnate there!— Instead of themes that touch the lyre with light,— Instead of Greece, and her immortal fight For Liberty, which once awak'd my strings, Welcome the Grand Conspiracy of Kings, The High Legitimates, the Holy Band, Who, bolder ev'n than He of Sparta's land, Against whole millions, panting to be free, Would guard the pass of right-line tyranny! Instead of him, th' Athenian bard, whose blade Had stood the onset which his pen pourtray'd, Welcome * * * * * * * * * * * * * * And, 'stead of Aristides—woe the day Such names should mingle!—welcome C————gh! Here break we off, at this unhallow'd name, Like priests of old, when words ill-omen'd came. My next shall tell thee, bitterly shall tell, Thoughts that * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thoughts that—could patience hold—'twere wiser far To leave still hid and burning where they are!"

Indignatio facit versus. Mr. Moore's better genius is here his spleen. The politician sharpens the poet's pen. Poor Phelim resumes this subject twice afterwards, and the last time with such force and spirit, that he is compelled to break off in the middle, for fear of consequences. But as far as he goes, we will accompany him.

"Yes—'twas a cause, as noble and as great As ever hero died to vindicate— A Nation's right to speak a Nation's voice, And own no power but of the Nation's choice!"