Hint from the Mountains for Certain Political Aspirants

Stranger, ’tis a sight of pleasure1

When the wings of genius rise2

Their ability to measure3

With great enterprise ;4

But in man was ne’er such daring5

As yon Hawk exhibits, pairing6

His brave spirit with the war in7

The stormy skies !8

Mark him, how his power he uses,9

Lays it by, at will resumes !10

Mark, are for his haunt he chooses11

Clouds and utter glooms !12

There, he wheels in downward mazes ;13

Sunward now his flight he raises,14

Catches fire, as seems, and blazes15

With uninjured plumes !—16

Answer.

Traveller, ’tis no act of courage17

Which aloft thou dost discern ;18

No bold bird gone forth to forage19

Mid the tempest stern ;20

But such mockery as the Nations21

See, when Commonwealth-vexations22

Lift men from their native stations,23

Like yon tuft of fern;24

Such it is, and not a Haggard25

Soaring on undaunted wing ;26

’Tis by nature dull and laggard,27

A poor helpless Thing,28

Dry, and withered, light and yellow ;—29

That to be the tempest’s fellow !30

Wait—and you shall see how hollow31

Its endeavouring !32