Say, what is Honour?--'Tis the finest sense Of _justice_ which the human mind can frame, Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim, And guard the way of life from all offence Suffered or done. When lawless violence 5 Invades a Realm, so pressed that in the scale[1] Of perilous war her weightiest armies fail, Honour is hopeful elevation,--whence Glory, and triumph. Yet with politic skill Endangered States may yield to terms unjust; 10 Stoop their proud heads, but not unto the dust-- A Foe's most favourite purpose to fulfil: Happy occasions oft by self-mistrust Are forfeited; but infamy doth kill. VARIANTS: [1] 1837. A Kingdom doth assault, and in the scale 1815. "BRAVE SCHILL! BY DEATH DELIVERED, TAKE THY FLIGHT" Composed 1809.--Published 1815 Brave Schill! by death delivered, take thy flight From Prussia's timid region. Go, and rest With heroes, 'mid the islands of the Blest, Or in the fields of empyrean light. A meteor wert thou crossing a dark night:[1] 5 Yet shall thy name, conspicuous and sublime, Stand in the spacious firmament of time, Fixed as a star: such glory is thy right. Alas! it may not be: for earthly fame Is Fortune's frail dependant; yet their lives 10 A Judge, who, as man claims by merit, gives; To whose all-pondering mind a noble aim, Faithfully kept, is as a noble deed; In whose pure sight all virtue doth succeed. Ferdinand von Schill, a distinguished Prussian officer, born 1773, entered the army 1789, was seriously wounded in the battle of Jena, but took the field again at the head of a free corps. Indignant at the subjection of his country to Buonaparte, he resolved to make a great effort for the liberation of Germany, collected a small body of troops, and commenced operations on the Elbe; but after a few successes was overpowered and slain at Stralsund, May 31, 1809. On June 4, 1809, Wordsworth writing to Daniel Stewart, editor of _The Courier_ newspaper, says, "Many thanks for the newspaper. Schill is a fine fellow." The sonnet was doubtless inspired by what he thus heard of Schill.--ED. VARIANTS: [1] 1837. ... in a darksome night: 1815. "CALL NOT THE ROYAL SWEDE UNFORTUNATE" Composed 1809.--Published 1815