14
LIVINGSTONE IN AFRICA.
CANTO II.
Yet mine are higher, holier purposes;
For I will cleave this darkling continent,
As with a sword of intellectual light;
Lead these lost children to a living Father,
And tell them of a Brother who has died.
Yea, if my nature's weakness have rebell'd
Against what seems the world's indifference;
Men treading their unarduous wonted round
Of common care, oblivious of mine,
Who battle alone, afar from all; who waste,
Ignobly sinking here in sight of goal,
For bitter need of help I hoped from men,
At leisure in their calm abounding homes;
Bales for exchange or tribute; healing herbs;
Wherewith to calm this fire within my veins,
And tame the ravening hungry heathendom—
