TO THE SHADE OF SAMUEL ADAMS 26/
Unless, with Hampden and with Sidney met,
Rejoicing 'neath a sun that shall not set,
Thou dost at freedom's fount all things of earth forget.
I would relate thy words upon that day,
When some were mourning for that fragrant weed
Which now in Neptune's cauldron boiling lay. They deemed it hard to flout the people's need,
And waste their wealth on ocean's deity,
Who scarce would thank them while he quaffed their tea
Why full-fed comfort yield for a starved liberty ?
Then 'mongst the citizens didst thou arise, And say : " To selfish counsels give no heed ;
Lust not for Egypt's flesh pots, but be wise ; Be free alike in thought, and word, and deed.
Let us abandon bread if needs must be,
And, like our ancestors, by yon blue sea
Feast on her cast-up clams, ere we pay tax on tea ! "
Wise also were the words which thou one day
Didst to thy daughter utter. " Father," said she, " Answer this question : Do they rightly say,
Who bid us shun all singularity ? " " In trifles to be strange," thou saidst, "were rude Then, smiling, thou didst add, '"be't understood,'^ 'Tis right, my child, that we be singularly good."
Such was thy thought, when men once strove to unloose '•♦ Thy horses, and through reverence in their place
Harnessed themselves ; amazed, thou didst refuse Farther to go, and, at the deep disgrace
Indignant blushing, didst exclaim : " Give o'er
If we are beasts, not men, let us restore
To our lost lords their mules, and bondage claim once more."
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