He is building a fleet and getting together an army.

It is not much good yet, you will say, but it will be some day.

You can turn a peasant into a soldier in six months, but it takes a long time to turn out generals and officers who are fit for their work.
"Then, while he is trying everywhere to improve his country, every man jack of them objects to being improved, and wants to go along in his old ways.

Didn't they get up an insurrection, only because he wanted them to cut off their beards?
Any other man would have lost heart, and given it up years ago.

It looks as hopeless a task as for a mouse to drag a mountain, but he is doing it.
"I don't say that he is perfect.