III.
A justice of the peace, for the time being,
They bow to, but may turn him out next year;
They reverence their priest, but disagreeing
In price or creed, dismiss him without fear;
They have a natural talent for foreseeing
And knowing all things; and should Park appear
From his long tour in Africa, to show
The Niger’s source, they’d meet him with—“we know.”
IV.
They love their land, because it is their own,
And scorn to give aught other reason why;
Would shake hands with a king upon his throne,
And think it kindness to his majesty;
A stubborn race, fearing and flattering none.
Such are they nurtured, such they live and die;
All—but a few apostates, who are meddling
With merchandise, pounds, shillings, pence, and peddling;
V.
Or wandering through the Southern countries teaching
The A B C from Webster’s spelling-book;
Gallant and godly, making love and preaching,
And gaining by what they call “hook and crook,”
And what the moralists call overreaching,
A decent living. The Virginians look
