To the Children of Garibaldi

Children! be not too proud, altho' the man
Whom Ocean smiles on with parental love,
And Earth from every coast with loud applause
Hails a deliverer, children, is your sire.
O what vast empire have ye to defend!
A name so high, so inaccessible,
Virtues so pure and courage so humane,
All are your heritage: by liveried serfs
On right and left will these be long assail'd:
March ever onward, but march watchfully,
Follow his steps and ye are safe; depart
One furlong from them and ye sink beneath
The vilest head that ever dozed on throne
Or ever bow'd to it: be true to Faith,
Not Faith recumbent upon downy lies,
But Faith that grasps the hand of Providence
And Justice, in this darkened world of ours,
And bends to One above, to none below.