Chapter V

With the eagle's piercing sight endowed,
And the heart with hope o'erflowing,
I found myself with a mounted crowd
To thought's fierce battle going.

The banners high, the lance in rest,
The enemy's ranks were broken.
On their broad backs, O what a jest,
To mark a nice blue token!

We came at last to the end of our course,
O'er our failure in knowledge repining;
Then slowly I turned my gallant horse,
Myself to silence resigning;

Too proud to believe--my thoughts all free,--
To the cave as a refuge flying.
The world is far too shallow for me,
The core is deeper lying.

I for my weapons no longer care,
In the corner there they lie rusting.
No priggish fool to provoke me shall dare,
To my valour alone I am trusting.

These owls and bats a look alone
Suffices to abolish;
Still serveth well an ass's bone,
The Philistines to demolish.

VI.

Be proud, and thy lot nobly bear,
From tears and sighs desisting;
Like thee will many others fare,
While thinkers are existing.

There are many problems left unsolved
By former speculations;
But when thou art to dust resolved,
Come other generations.

The wrinkles on thy lofty brow
Let them go on increasing,
They are the scars which show us how
Thought's struggle was unceasing.

And if no laurel-crown to thee
To deck thy brow be given;
Still be thou proud; thy soul so free
For thought alone has striven.

SOME OF MARGARETTA'S SONGS.

I.

How proud he is and stately!
How noble is his air!
A trumpeter he's only,
Yet I for him do care.

And owned he castles seven,
He could not look more fair.
O would to him were given
Another name to bear!

Ah, were he but a noble,
A knight of the Golden Fleece!
Love, thou art full of trouble,
Love, thou art full of peace.