Volume IV Part 13 (1/2)

Ay, it is He, Who rides at the King's right hand!

Leave room to his horse and draw to the side, Nor press too near in the ecstasy Of a newly delivered impa.s.sioned land: He is moved, you see, He who has done it all.

They call it a cold stern face; But this is Italy Who rises up to her place!-- For this he fought in his youth, Of this he dreamed in the past; The lines of the resolute mouth Tremble a little at last.

Cry, he has done it all!

”Emperor Evermore.”

XIII.

It is not strange that he did it, Though the deed may seem to strain To the wonderful, unpermitted, For such as lead and reign.

But he is strange, this man: The people's instinct found him (A wind in the dark that ran Through a c.h.i.n.k where was no door), And elected him and crowned him Emperor Evermore.

XIV.

Autocrat? let them scoff, Who fail to comprehend That a ruler incarnate of The people must transcend All common king-born kings; These subterranean springs A sudden outlet winning Have special virtues to spend.

The people's blood runs through him, Dilates from head to foot, Creates him absolute, And from this great beginning Evokes a greater end To justify and renew him-- Emperor Evermore.

XV.

What! did any maintain That G.o.d or the people (think!) Could make a marvel in vain?-- Out of the water-jar there, Draw wine that none could drink?

Is this a man like the rest, This miracle, made unaware By a rapture of popular air, And caught to the place that was best?

You think he could barter and cheat As vulgar diplomates use, With the people's heart in his breast?

Prate a lie into shape Lest truth should c.u.mber the road; Play at the fast and loose Till the world is strangled with tape; Maim the soul's complete To fit the hole of a toad; And filch the dogman's meat To feed the offspring of G.o.d?

XVI.

Nay, but he, this wonder, He cannot palter nor prate, Though many around him and under, With intellects trained to the curve, Distrust him in spirit and nerve Because his meaning is straight.

Measure him ere he depart With those who have governed and led; Larger so much by the heart, Larger so much by the head.

Emperor Evermore.

XVII.

He holds that, consenting or dissident, Nations must move with the time; a.s.sumes that crime with a precedent Doubles the guilt of the crime; --Denies that a slaver's bond, Or a treaty signed by knaves (_Quorum magna pars_, and beyond Was one of an honest name), Gives an inexpugnable claim To abolish men into slaves.

Emperor Evermore.

XVIII.

He will not swagger nor boast Of his country's meeds, in a tone Missuiting a great man most If such should speak of his own; Nor will he act, on her side, From motives baser, indeed, Than a man of a n.o.ble pride Can avow for himself at need; Never, for lucre or laurels, Or custom, though such should be rife, Adapting the smaller morals To measure the larger life.

He, though the merchants persuade, And the soldiers are eager for strife, Finds not his country in quarrels Only to find her in trade,-- While still he accords her such honour As never to flinch for her sake Where men put service upon her, Found heavy to undertake And scarcely like to be paid: Believing a nation may act Unselfishly--s.h.i.+ver a lance (As the least of her sons may, in fact) And not for a cause of finance.

Emperor Evermore.

XIX.

Great is he Who uses his greatness for all.

His name shall stand perpetually As a name to applaud and cherish, Not only within the civic wall For the loyal, but also without For the generous and free.