Sir, 'tis confessed by men opposed to you,
Who deem your simple statement most unwise —
Men trustful in the potency of lies
To build new heavens and shape the earth anew —
Your words have this advantage: they are true;
But knowing what unmerited surprise
One glimpse of truth now gives us, they surmise
" It was a most untimely thing to do. "

Sir, they are right; but words to match these times
Let jackals and hyaenas learn to howl —
As well they have; but while in us remains
Aught human, aught that strenuously climbs
Above the corpse-strewn fields where such beasts prowl,
We shall esteem the truth our best of gains.