In the vision of Beauty and the Spirit's law, Freedom and Honour and sweet Lovingkindness. Robert Bridges MR ETHINKS I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks; methinks I see her as an eagle, mewing her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled eye at the full midday beam; purging and unscaling her long abused sight at the fountain itself of heavenly radiance. John Milton Ο NCE to every man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side. Toiling up new Calvaries ever With the cross that turns not back. Though the cause of evil prosper, Yet 'tis truth alone is strong; Though her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong, Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above his own. James Russell Lowell BEAUTIFUL! my Country. . . What words divine of lover or of poet Could tell our love and make thee know it, Among the Nations bright beyond compare? What were our lives without thee? What all our lives to save thee? We reck not what we gave thee; We will not dare to doubt thee, But ask whatever else, and we will dare! James Russell Lowell Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith. T HOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. |