And thus, in spite of nature, by degrees

He saw a beauty and a majesty

In this despised trade, which warrior's brow

Hath rarely circled—so that when he sat

Beneath his sky-light window, he hath cast

A gaze of triumph on the godlike sun,

And felt that orb, in all his annual round,

Beheld no happier nobler character

Than him, Hugh Thwaites, a little tailor-boy.

Thus I, with no unprofitable song,