To James Whitaker A True “Guardian of the Poor,” Gisbrough

To James Whitaker
A True “Guardian of the Poor,” Gisbrough

Guisborough Workhouse

Friend, I have known thee long, but did not dream
Thy quiet, genial soul, was one that dare
To play the “village Hampden!” for few dare
To battle for the Poor: seldom a beam
Of the bright sun of Justice shines within 5
Our Poor Law Bastiles, where the Poor are pent
In horrible confinement; the intent
To punish Poverty, as a dire sin
Against the Mammon-worship of the age.
Alone, but manfully, thou stood for Right, 10
Remembering all thou did was in the sight
Of the All-Seeing Eye: and thus the rage
Of mis-call’d “Guardians of the Poor” with thee,
Fail’d to subdue thy sterling honesty.

George Markham Tweddell

http://knarf.english.upenn.edu/People/hampden.html
In reference to 'Village Hampton'