XIV
APOLOGY

The formal World relaxes her cold chain

For One who speaks in numbers; ampler scope

His utterance finds; and, conscious of the gain,

Imagination works with bolder hope

The cause of grateful reason to sustain; 5

And, serving Truth, the heart more strongly beats

Against all barriers which his labour meets

In lofty place, or humble Life’s domain.

Enough;—before us lay a painful road,