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; Assumes 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 noble 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--shiver a lance (As the least of her sons may, in fact) And not for a cause of finance. Emperor Evermore. XIX.