31 . Honour

ME let the world disparage and despise—

The world, that hugs its soul-corroding chains,

The world, that spends for such ignoble gains.

Let foe or bigot wrap my name in lies;

Let Justice, blind and maimed and halt, chastise

The rebel-spirit surging in my veins;

Let the Law deal me penalties and pains;

Let me be outcast in my neighbours’ eyes.

But let me fall not in my own esteem,

By poor deceit or petty greed debased;

Let me be clean from undetected shame;

Know myself true, though heretic I seem;

Know myself faithful, howsoe’er disgraced;

Upright and strong, for all the load of blame.