Miscellaneous Verses
DEFINITIONS
What is clear profit? Meeting with good men. A malady? Of incompetent minds the spell. What is a loss? Occasion given in vain. True skill of life? With heavenward thoughts to dwell. A hero? The heart that is o’er passion lord. A mistress? She to loving service sworn. Best wealth? Wisdom. True happiness? The sward Of one’s own country, life where it was born. A kingdom? Swift obedience fruitful found At the low word from hearts of all around.
A RARITY
Rich in sweet loving words, in harshness poor, From blame of others’ lives averse, content With one dear wife and so heart-opulent, Candid and kindly, like an open door, Some here and there are found on teeming earth; Her fairest ornament is their quiet worth.
THE FLAME OF THE SOUL
Insulted, wronged, oppressed the unshaken mind, Treasuring its strength, insurgent its high will, Towers always, though beat fiercely down to hell.
The torch is to the inglorious soil declined,
Its flame burns upward and unconquered still.
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