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 Invades a Realm, so pressed that in the scale 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; 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHERRY TREES by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS THE SHAVEN BEAUTY by YUSUF IBN HARUN AL-RAMADI THE WATER-SPRINGS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET CROSS AND THRONE by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR A HINT TO A YOUNG PERSON, .. IMPROVEMENT, BY READING OR CONVERSATION by JOHN BYROM |