v.
Heap knowledge from forbidden mines of lore,
Yet nothing that my tyrants knew or taught
I cared to learn, but from that secret store 40
Wrought linked armour for my soul, before
It might walk forth to war among mankind;
Thus power and hope were strengthened more and more
Within me, till there came upon my mind
A sense of loneliness, a thirst with which I pined. 45
vi.
To those who seek all sympathies in one!—
Such once I sought in vain; then black despair,
The shadow ot a starless night, was thrown
Over the world in which I moved alone:— 50
Yet never found I one not false to me,
Hard hearts, and cold, like weights of icy stone
Which crushed and withered mine, that could not be
Aught but a lifeless clod[1], until revived by thee.
vii.
Fell, like bright Spring upon some herbless plain;
How beautiful and calm and free thou wert
In thy young wisdom, when the mortal chain
Of Custom thou didst burst and rend in twain,
And walked as free as light the clouds among, 60
Which many an envious slave then breathed in vain
From his dim dungeon, and my spirit sprung
To meet thee from the woes which had begirt it long!
viii.
Although I trod the paths of high intent, 65
I journeyed now: no more companionless,
Where solitude is like despair, I went.—
There is the wisdom of a stern content
When Poverty can blight the just and good,
When Infamy dares mock the innocent, 70
And cherished friends turn with the multitude
To trample: this was ours, and we unshaken stood!
ix.
And with inconstant fortune, friends return;
Though suffering leaves the knowledge and the power 75
Which says:—Let scorn be not repaid with scorn.
And from thy side two gentle babes are born
- ↑ clog ed. 1818. See notes at end.
