Classic Poem

Upon our fathers' labours
With reverence to build,
To sow the seeds they left us
Within the fields they tilled,
By thoughts of them assisted
To plan the nation's weal,
To glory in our honour
And shame for wrong to feel,
To sink all selfish passions
In public joy or smart —
All this implies most clearly
A patriotic heart.

Whate'er our fathers builded,
Devoid of shame, to waste,
To rear our fancy's structures
On airy nothings based,
To blame, devoid of feeling,
The men ourselves did choose,
Because they have not honoured
Our new-adopted views;
When naming names once famous
To act the scorner's part,
All this implies as clearly
No patriotic heart.

Now that bright hope is quickened
To newer, purer light,
And History's Muse — expectant —
Her pencil grasps to write,
O Prince! for whose forefathers
Zeal set our hearts a-flame,
'Neath whose victorious standard
Our youth have fought for fame,
With none to stand between us,
Thyself behold our smart;
And shew, above all others,
A patriotic heart.