“BLEST STATESMAN HE, WHOSE MIND’S UNSELFISH WILL”
Composed 1838.—Published 1838
One of the “Sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Order.”—Ed.
Blest Statesman He, whose Mind’s unselfish will
Leaves him[191] at ease among grand thoughts: whose eye
Sees that, apart from magnanimity,
Wisdom exists not; nor the humbler skill
Of Prudence, disentangling good and ill 5
With patient care. What tho’[192] assaults run high,
They daunt not him who holds his ministry,
Resolute, at all hazards, to fulfil
Its[193] duties;—prompt to move, but firm to wait,—
Knowing, things rashly sought are rarely found; 10
That, for[194] the functions of an ancient State—
Strong by her charters, free because imbound,
Servant of Providence, not slave of Fate—
Perilous is sweeping change, all chance unsound.[195]
[191] 1842.
… her
C. and 1838.
[192] 1838.
… if
C.
[193] 1838.
His
C.
[194] 1838.
… in
C.
All change is perilous, and all chance unsound.
Spenser.—W.W. 1838.
The passage will be found in The Faërie Queene, book v. canto xii. stanza 36.—Ed.
VALEDICTORY SONNET[196]
Composed 1838.—Published 1838
One of the “Miscellaneous Sonnets.”—Ed.
Serving no haughty Muse, my hands have here
Disposed some cultured Flowerets (drawn from spots
Where they bloomed singly, or in scattered knots),
Each kind in several beds of one parterre;
Both to allure the casual Loiterer, 5
And that, so placed, my Nurslings may requite
Studious regard with opportune delight,
Nor be unthanked, unless I fondly err.
But metaphor dismissed, and thanks apart,
Reader, farewell! My last words let them be— 10
If in this book Fancy and Truth agree;
If simple Nature trained by careful Art
Through It have won a passage to thy heart;
Grant me thy love, I crave no other fee!
[196] This closed the volume of sonnets published in 1838.—Ed.