Now no one watched or doubted him. So long
His inner strength had made his outwork strong,
So long had smoothed his face, ’twas light to take,
From what had been his blamelessness, a mask.
And still, for honor’s and the country’s sake,
He set his hands to every noble task;
Held firmly yet his place among the great,
Won by the sword and saviour of the state;
And as in war, so now in civic peace,
He led the people on to higher things,