NATHAN HALE
"'Neath the blue morn, the sunny morn,
He dies upon the tree,
And he mourns that he can lose
But one life for liberty."
_From photograph of the Statue by Frederick
Macmonnies, in New York City Hall Park_.
EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN
_After a photograph from life_.
THOMAS BUCHANAN READ
_After a photograph from life_.
POEMS OF NATIONAL SPIRIT.
* * * * *
I.
PATRIOTISM.
* * * * *
WHAT CONSTITUTES A STATE?
What constitutes a state?
Not high-raised battlement or labored mound,
Thick wall or moated gate;
Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned;
Not bays and broad-armed ports,
Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride;
Not starred and spangled courts,
Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride.
No:--men, high-minded men,
With powers as far above dull brutes endued
In forest, brake, or den,
As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude,--
Men who their duties know,
But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain,
Prevent the long-aimed blow,
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain;
These constitute a State;
And sovereign law, that State's collected will,
O'er thrones and globes elate
Sits empress, crowning good, repressing ill.
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