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A SHEAF GLEANED
Sonnet.—A CHARACTER OF THE OLDEN TIME.
A valiant heart, simple, correct, austere,
Hewn from the solid rock, sincere as gold,
Straight as an iron rod,—a man of old,
Whose noble nature never knew a fear.
Adulterate interests from his duty clear
He chased afar; his conscience never sold;
Dared dangers terrible and manifold,
And when they ended, dropped into the rear.
Under the antique flag, how prompt his lance!
But not the less his hate of foreign rule,
Gentleman, subject of the King of France,
Upon the Rhine, in Lyon's noble school,
In Vendée, and Wherever he had chance,
He shed his blood, faithful, and yet no tool.
