LINES ADDRESSED TO GARIBALDI. 73 Yet as a king thou wert on these proud shores received, But though thou foughtst and bledst beneath her banners bright, 'Twas not to gain a crown but save thy country's right, Which, trampled on by Tyrants, poured forth the fearful cry When Heaven-born help in thy great name came, sent in dread reply. These are the deeds which cause a nation to upraise The chaplet to thy brow, to Heaven the songs of praise, That thou with god-like power, our human toils among, Wert missioned to redress the suffering peoples' wrong. Yet seeking no reward, and scant of store to live Even what thou needest for thyself to others thou didst give ; Nay, in thy homage and thy strength, bow at the patriot's throne, And kingdoms to thy King vouchsafed that might have been thine own. Disdaining wealth and splendour, and every courtly wile, Thou homeward sought that sacred spot, thy loved Capreran Isle ; Above all monuments now great in History's lustrous page, 'Tis fair Italia's pride, and treasure of the age. Yet eager once again to hail our Freedom's happiest shore, The Ocean's gladdened waves thy bark came bounding o'er, And now beneath her Spring-time sky, 'mid many a thronging band, Her sons, from prince to peasant, haste to press thy hero-hand. LINES ADDRESSED TO GARIBALDI. 75 But clamours rise, and wildly sway both hypocrites and friends, That but to jeopardize thy days this our fond welcome tends,* That, for the sake of all who still cherish some hopes in thee, Thou shouldst at once retrace thy steps across the favouring sea. So with that noble mind which e'er has good in view, And that unselfishness in thee so firmly true, Thou yieldst to Duty, 'mid the shout that o'er thy pathway rings, And triumphs canst forego that might have graced a line of kings! Then, farewell ever-honoured one, may Heaven its blessings shower On thee and all of thine, and cause thy fortune ne'er to lour; *Certain parties, interested in his disappearance from this country, pretended that the excitement, consequent on his reception, was too much for his then weak state of health. So that while 'neath thy thatched cot, fulfilling its decree, Thou mayest for despotic minds put forth a lasting homily. There mayest thou rest in peace and health, until th' appointed hour Bids thee thy holy work resume against barbaric power, When by thy wisdom and thy sword thy country rendered free Shall crown with Garibaldi's name her grandest victory! RETIREMENT. RETIREMENT. "Fain would I fly the haunts of men- NAY,-bid me not 'mid splendours roam, For me, beneath the gilded dome, Abides no pure delight. Within this home, though poor it be, My heart need not repine: While craving nought to prove it free, A true content is mine. Let others o'er such worldly sea Launch their ambitious bark; Hoping their fate may kinder be, And guard the fragile Ark. |