It remains for you to rebuild the constitution. Live till this is
done. Live till you see your country tranquil, and at peace. Then, when
your last debt is paid, when you have filled the measure of your existence
to overflowing, then say, if you will, that you have had enough of life.
Your life is not the life which is bounded by the union of your soul and
body, your life is that which shall continue fresh in the memory of ages
to come, which posterity will cherish, and eternity itself keep guard
over. Much has been done which men will admire: much remains to be done,
which they can praise. They will read with wonder of empires and
provinces, of the Rhine, the ocean, and the Nile, of battles without
number, of amazing victories, of countless monuments and triumphs; but
unless this Commonwealth be wisely re-established in institutions by you
bestowed upon us, your name will travel widely over the world, but will
have no stable habitation; and those who come after us will dispute about
you as we have disputed. Some will extol you to the skies, others will
find something wanting and the most important element of all. Remember the
tribunal before which you will hereafter stand. The ages that are to be
will try you, with minds, it may be, less prejudiced than ours,
uninfluenced either by desire to please you or by envy of your greatness.
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