FullReads

80.
‘And let Panic, who outspeeds
The career of armed steeds
Pass, a disregarded shade 325
Through your phalanx undismayed.

81.
‘Let the laws of your own land,
Good or ill, between ye stand
Hand to hand, and foot to foot,
Arbiters of the dispute, 330

82.
‘The old laws of England–they
Whose reverend heads with age are gray,
Children of a wiser day;
And whose solemn voice must be
Thine own echo–Liberty! 335

83.
‘On those who first should violate
Such sacred heralds in their state
Rest the blood that must ensue,
And it will not rest on you.

84.
‘And if then the tyrants dare 340
Let them ride among you there,
Slash, and stab, and maim, and hew,–
What they like, that let them do.

85.
‘With folded arms and steady eyes,
And little fear, and less surprise, 345
Look upon them as they slay
Till their rage has died away.

86.
Then they will return with shame
To the place from which they came,
And the blood thus shed will speak 350
In hot blushes on their cheek.

87.
‘Every woman in the land
Will point at them as they stand–
They will hardly dare to greet
Their acquaintance in the street. 355

88.
‘And the bold, true warriors
Who have hugged Danger in wars
Will turn to those who would be free,
Ashamed of such base company.

89.
‘And that slaughter to the Nation 360
Shall steam up like inspiration,
Eloquent, oracular;
A volcano heard afar.

90.
‘And these words shall then become
Like Oppression’s thundered doom 365
Ringing through each heart and brain,
Heard again–again–again–

91.
‘Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number–
Shake your chains to earth like dew 370
Which in sleep had fallen on you–
Ye are many–they are few.’

NOTES:
15. Like Eldon Hunt manuscript; Like Lord Eldon Wise manuscript.
15. ermined Hunt manuscript, Wise manuscript edition 1832;
ermine editions 1839.
23 shadows]shadow editions 1839 only.
29 or]and Wise manuscript only.
35 And in his grasp Hunt manuscript, edition 1882;
In his hand Wise manuscript,
Hunt manuscript cancelled, edition 1839.
36 On his]And on his edition 1832 only.
51 the Hunt manuscript, edition 1832; that Wise manuscript.
56 tempestuous]tremendous editions 1839 only.
58 For with pomp]For from… Hunt manuscript, Wise manuscript.
71 God]Law editions 1839 only.
79 rightly Wise manuscript; nightly Hunt manuscript, editions 1832, 1839.
93 Fumbling] Trembling editions 1839 only.
105 a vale Hunt manuscript, Wise manuscript; the vale editions 1832, 1839.
113 as]like editions 1839 only.
116 its Wise manuscript, Hunt manuscript; it editions 1832, 1839.
121 but Wise MS; and Hunt manuscript, editions 1832, 1839.
122 May’s footstep Wise manuscript, Hunt manuscript;
the footstep edition 1832; May’s footsteps editions 1839.
132-4 omit Wise manuscript.
146 had cried Hunt manuscript, editions 1832, 1839;
cried out Wise manuscript.
155 omit edition 1832 only.
182 of]from Wise manuscript only.
186 wills Hunt manuscript, editions 1832, 1839; will Wise manuscript.
198 their Wise manuscript, Hunt manuscript, editions 1839;
the edition 1832.
216 cave Wise manuscript, Hunt manuscript, editions 1839;
caves edition 1832, Hunt manuscript cancelled.
220 In Wise manuscript, editions 1832, 1839; To Hunt manuscript.