Page:MU KPB 009 The Springtide of Life Poems of Childhood by Algernon Charles Swinburne.pdf/83

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We say, small children should
Be placid, mildly good
  And blandly meek:
Whereat the broad smile rushes
Full on your lips, and flushes
   All your cheek.

If all the stars that are
Laughed out, and every star
  Could here be heard,
Such peals of golden laughter
We should not hear, as after
   Such a word.

For all the storm saith, still,
Stout stands the daffodil:
  For all we say,
Howe’er he look demurely,
Our martialist will surely
   Have his way.

We may not bind with bands
Those large and liberal hands,
  Nor stay from fight,
Nor hold them back from giving:
No lean mean laws of living
   Bind a knight.

And always here of old
Such gentle hearts and bold
  Our land has bred:
How durst her eye rest else on
The glory shed from Nelson
   Quick and dead?

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