SOME laws there are too sacred for the hand O fman to approach; recorded in the blood Of patriots; before which, as the Rood Of Faith, devotional we take our stand. Time-hallowed laws! magnificently planned When Freedom was the nurse of public good , And Power paternal: laws that have withstood All storms-unshaken bulwarks of the land! Free will, frank speech, an undissembling mind, Without which Freedom dies and laws are vain, On such we found our rights, to such we cling: In these shall Power his surest safeguard find. Tread them not down in passion, or disdain: Make Man a reptile, he will turn and sting. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SLAVE AUCTION by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER BLACK AND BLUE EYES by THOMAS MOORE A SONG FOR THE SINGLE TABLE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY by ELIZABETH FRANCES AMHERST VERSES WRITTEN IN AN ALCOVE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE SIEGE OF VIRE by OLIVIER BASSELIN A LYRIC OF AUTUMN by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE TO BETTINE; THE CHILD-FRIEND OF GOETHE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |