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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 82

Prologue.*

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Prologue.*

Afar in the dim and remotely obscure
Depths of earth's primaeval ages,
(Close companion with wolf, fox, and fierce cave-bear,)
Wild—ruthless with ferocious ravin and rage
Beamed and read early Man Nature's pages;
Founded deep in the depths of his being
As earth's storms remorseless, his passions endure,
As idly on wanders he from lair to lair.

Picture this being I whose shaggy bare breast
Bears its front to the fierce glacial blast,
Clad in scanty adornment of bear-skin and bronze
His keen eye o'er the wild landscape cast
In swift glance to search out his foe or his prey,
Bent on battle or capture ere seeks he his rest.

* * * * * * * *

Hath magnanimous feeling within him its shrine
In aught of his mingled emotions,
'Midst Nature's relentless and terrible powers,
And tempest's wild, rudest commotions? —
Aught save semi-human alone can we trace
In that form; now, long since, deem'd divine.

Were wife-love, and home-love, in fondness then blended
In humane and holiest feeling?
O woman, sweet woman I with mercy must tell
Tragic tale, to Man's heart appealing,
Of every known crime and wrong meekly endured
Nor yet hath her subjection ended !

How long, Oh, how long ! in fell bondage she pined—
This clinging fair creature to Man !
With a name more than that of heav'n-bom "friend,"
Most celestial and dear in the plan
Of God's gifts, stands this fairest being
Of chastely and true soul and mind !

Man's first strife arose against Nature's array
Of powers adverse to his being;
A struggle productive of fierce tribal wars,—
No two savage races agreeing :
From brave mothers' breasts was thus early imbibed
A spirit of bloodshed and scourging affray.

* * * * * * * *

Thou mighty Element of Fire !
Whence came that noble man of yore
To kindle first thy mystic flame.
Thy countless purposes explore !
Who aroused Man from Cimmerian dreams
To progress, peace, and science to aspire."