with what heartfelt compassion he went home to the direct point of injury - that oppression is detestable as being the parent of starvation, nakedness, and ignorance. Besides these outpourings of compassion and indignation, he had meant to adorn the cause he loved with loftier poetry of glory and triumph: such is the scope of the "Ode to the Asserters of Liberty." He sketched also a new version of our national anthem, as addressed to Liberty.

Poems Written in 1820

Poems Written in 1820

The Sensitive Plant

PART FIRST

SENSITIVE Plant in a garden

grew,

And the young winds fed it with

silver dew,

And it opened its fanlike leaves to the light, And closed them beneath the kisses of night.

And the Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark

breast

Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

But none ever trembled and panted with bliss
In the garden, the field, or the wilderness,
Like a doe in the noontide with love's sweet

want,

As the companionless Sensitive Plant.

The snowdrop, and then the violet,

Arose from the ground with warm rain wet, And their breath was mixed with fresh odour,