THE TRUE PATRIOTISM

The ever-lustrous name of patriot

To no man be denied because he saw

Where in his country's wholeness lay the flaw,

Where, on her whiteness, the unseemly blot.

England! thy loyal sons condemn thee.— What!

Shall we be meek who from thine own breasts draw

Our fierceness? Not ev'n thou shalt overawe

Us thy proud children nowise basely got.

Be this the measure of our loyalty —

To feel thee noble and weep thy lapse the more.

This truth by thy true servants is confess'd —

Thy sins, who love thee most, do most deplore.

Know thou thy faithful! Best they honour thee

Who honour in thee only what is best.