John Reade - The Patriot lyrics

God help the man who mortgages his life For patriot dues! Henceforward he is safe No more. His noblest virtues only chafe The hydra that he serves to lust of strife. His self-respect, his every social tie, All that for which the world's best heroes fight Must be surrendered, or, unless he die, He is a slave--mayhap a despot slave, Like Dionysius, fearful of the light, Or Belisarius, begging to his grave Through streets o'er which his conquering banners wave. And his reward--to have poor poets sigh Above his dust the requiem of the brave.