To him the cry of subjugate despair
Rang, like a trumpet of encouragement;
And brave resistance did but seem to him
Another step that led him to the heights.
Ten years had poured their various gifts on earth
Of death and life, of sunshine and of shade,
Since Michael left his little school disgraced
By acts of lawless violence; and went
Back to a ruined parent’s ruined home,
To feed his heart on innutritious dreams