England Iv

IT is not to be thought of that the flood    Of British freedom, which, to the open sea    Of the world's praise, from dark antiquity Hath flow'd, 'with pomp of waters, unwithstood,' Roused though it be full often to a mood    Which spurns the check of salutary bands,--    That this most famous stream in bogs and sands Should perish; and to evil and to good Be lost for ever. In our halls is hung    Armoury of the invincible Knights of old: We must be free or die, who speak the tongue    That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold Which Milton held.--In everything we are sprung    Of Earth's first blood, have titles manifold.