Classic Poem

While hosts of cowards in our time
Round idols old are falling,
I hear a voice from realms sublime
To ev'ry true man calling:
“Up and despise time-honor'd lies;
The reign of terror, end it;
Bring forth the true, the fair, the new,
And manfully defend it.

“Men hide their ignorance with gilt,
And call it education;
And halls and colleges are built
To stamp out innovation.
Despise the bigot's vile behest
That to his faith would pin you,
And utter thou the soul's protest
Which rises up within you.

“For he to whom the truth is true,
The very heavens adore him;
Tho' men with thorns his path may strew,
Yet angels walk before him.
He marches on with ne'er a doubt,
And does the work assign'd him,
And what tho' all the rabble rout
Are barking on behind him,

“He's aye surrounded by a host
Of heroes, bards, and sages,
Who come to cheer him at his post
While Freedom's battle rages.
Then never fear the taunt and jeer,
But what is wrong amend it;
Seize on the right with all your might
And manfully defend it.”