What a fair world were ours for verse to paint, If Power could live at ease with self-restraint! Opinion bow before the naked sense Of the great Vision,--faith in Providence; Merciful over all his creatures, just[625] 45 To the least particle of sentient dust;[626] But,[627] fixing by immutable decrees, Seedtime and harvest for his purposes! Then would be closed the restless oblique eye That looks for evil like a treacherous spy; 50 Disputes would then relax, like stormy winds That into breezes sink; impetuous minds By discipline endeavour to grow meek As Truth herself, whom they profess to seek. Then Genius, shunning fellowship with Pride, 55 Would braid his golden locks at Wisdom's side; Love ebb and flow untroubled by caprice; And not alone _harsh_ tyranny would cease, But unoffending creatures find release From qualified oppression, whose defence 60 Rests on a hollow plea of recompense; Thought-tempered wrongs, for each humane respect Oft worse to bear, or deadlier in effect. Witness those glances of indignant scorn From some high-minded Slave, impelled to spurn 65 The kindness that would make him less forlorn; Or, if the soul to bondage be subdued, His look of pitiable gratitude! Alas for thee, bright Galaxy of Isles, Whose[628] day departs in pomp, returns with smiles-- To greet the flowers and fruitage of a land, 71 As the sun mounts, by sea-born breezes fanned; A land whose azure mountain-tops are seats For Gods in council, whose green vales, retreats Fit for the shades of heroes, mingling there 75 To breathe Elysian peace in upper air. Though cold as winter, gloomy as the grave, Stone-walls a prisoner make, but not a slave.[629] Shall man assume a property in man? Lay on the moral will a withering ban? 80 Shame that our laws at distance still protect[630] Enormities, which they at home reject! "Slaves cannot breathe in England"[631]--yet that boast Is but a mockery! when[632] from coast to coast, Though _fettered_ slave be none, her floors and soil 85 Groan underneath a weight of slavish toil, For the poor Many, measured out by rules Fetched with cupidity from heartless schools, That to an Idol, falsely called[633] "the Wealth Of Nations,"[634] sacrifice a People's health, 90 Body and mind and soul; a thirst so keen[635] Is ever urging on the vast machine Of sleepless Labour, 'mid whose dizzy wheels The Power least prized is that which thinks and feels.