To the Duke of Argyll

O Patriot Statesman, be thou wise to know

The limits of resistance, and the bounds

Determining concession; still be bold

Not only to slight praise but suffer scorn;

And be thy heart a fortress to maintain

The day against the moment, and the year

Against the day; thy voice, a music heard

Thro' all the yells and counter-yells of feud

And faction, and thy will, a power to make

This ever-changing world of circumstance,

In changing, chime with never-changing Law.