VERSES
WRITTEN
IN
FEBRUARY
,
1827.
LIKE
gleam
of
sunshine
on
the
mountain's
side
,
Fair
,
bright
and
beautiful
,
while
all
beside
,
Slope
,
cliff
and
pinnacle
in
shadow
lie
Beneath
the
awning
of
a
wintry
sky
,
Through
loop-hole
in
its
cloudy
texture
beaming
A
cataract
of
light
,
so
softly
streaming
,
—
Shines
one
blest
deed
of
ruth
when
war's
grim
form
O'er
a
scourged
nation
guides
his
passing
storm
.
Like
verdant
islet-spots
,
that
softly
peer
Through
the
dull
mist
,
as
morning
breezes
clear
The
brooding
vapour
from
the
wide-stretched
vale
,
So
in
a
land
where
Mammon's
cares
prevail
,
Do
frequent
deeds
of
gentle
charity
Refresh
the
moral
gazer's
mental
eye
.
Britain
,
thou
art
in
arms
and
commerce
graced
With
many
generous
acts
,
that
,
fairly
traced
On
thy
long
annals
,
give
a
lustre
far
Exceeding
those
of
wealth
or
trophied
war
;
And
may
we
not
say
truthfully
of
thee
,
Thou
art
a
land
of
mercy
?
—
May
it
be
!
What
forms
are
those
with
lean
galled
sides
?
In
vain
Their
laxed
and
ropy
sinews
sorely
strain
Heaped
loads
to
draw
with
lash
and
goad
urged
on
.
They
were
in
other
days
,
but
lately
gone
,
The
useful
servants
,
dearly
prized
,
of
those
Who
to
their
failing
age
give
no
repose
,
—
Of
thankless
,
heartless
owners
.
Then
full
oft
Their
arched
graceful
necks
so
sleek
and
soft
Beneath
a
master's
stroking
hand
would
rear
Right
proudly
,
as
they
neighed
his
well-known
voice
to
hear
.
But
now
how
changed
!
—
And
what
marred
things
are
these
,
Starved
,
hooted
,
scarred
,
denied
or
food
or
ease
;
Whose
humbled
looks
their
bitter
thraldom
shew
,
Familiar
with
the
kick
,
the
pinch
,
the
blow
?
Alas
!
in
this
sad
fellowship
are
found
The
playful
kitten
and
the
faithful
hound
,
The
gallant
cock
that
hailed
the
morning
light
,
All
now
hard-fated
mates
in
woeful
plight
.
Ah
no
!
a
land
of
mercy
is
a
name
Which
thou
in
all
thy
glory
mayest
not
claim
!
But
yet
there
dwell
in
thee
the
good
,
the
bold
,
Who
in
thy
streets
,
courts
,
senates
bravely
hold
Contention
with
thy
wayward
cruelty
,
And
shall
subdue
it
ere
this
age
glide
by
.
Meantime
as
they
their
manly
power
exert
,
"
God
speed
ye
well
!
"
bursts
from
each
kindly
heart
.
And
they
will
speed
;
for
this
foul
blot
of
shame
Must
be
washed
out
from
Britain's
honoured
name
,
And
she
among
enlightened
nations
stand
,
A
brave
,
a
merciful
and
generous
land
.