He groped to his desire,
The long, lean, sallow, knowledge-hungry lad,
Deerskin or homespun clad.
Slow-stumbling upward, in good time he grew
To that just man his little city knew,
His plain, persuasive speech
Shaped by an instinct none could ever teach,
Savouring of honest earth, and sharp with wilding jest.
Then came his country’s call.
Humble and hesitant, in doubt and dread,