Thalaba the Destroyer

“And this then is thy faith! this monstrous creed! “This lie against the Sun and Moon and Stars “And Earth and Heaven! blind man who canst not see “How all things work the best! who wilt not know “That in the Manhood of the World, whate’er “Of folly marked its Infancy, of vice “Sullied its Youth, ripe Wisdom shall cast off, “Stablished in good, and knowing evil safe. “Sultan Mohareb, yes, ye have me here “In chains; but not forsaken, tho’ opprest: “Cast down, but not destroyed. Shall danger daunt, “Shall death dismay his soul, whose life is given “For God and for his brethren of mankind? “Alike rewarded, in that noble cause, “The Conquerors and the Martyrs palm above “Beam with one glory. Hope ye that my blood “Can quench the dreaded flame? and know ye not “That leagued against you are the Just and Wise, “And all Good Actions of all ages past, “Yea your own Crimes, and Truth, and God in Heaven!””

— Robert Southey