 | Sonnets |  |
26
FREEDOM
Upon a hill they set her; she looked down
To where the English orchards drink the light
And England's brawn flings flame into the night,
And she had joy of weald and thorp and town,
And her joy was their joy. The dullest clown
Knew he was free; and insolence and might
For all their pride were shaken before this right
Of liberty, which is the common crown.
To where the English orchards drink the light
And England's brawn flings flame into the night,
And she had joy of weald and thorp and town,
And her joy was their joy. The dullest clown
Knew he was free; and insolence and might
For all their pride were shaken before this right
Of liberty, which is the common crown.
Still are her state and glory the marvel of men,
Still for her state and glory and honour and fame
The old brave shadows greet us through the mist;
And we have strength because of them. How then
Shall we discern without a touch of shame
The Welshman's shackle at her milk-white wrist?
Still for her state and glory and honour and fame
The old brave shadows greet us through the mist;
And we have strength because of them. How then
Shall we discern without a touch of shame
The Welshman's shackle at her milk-white wrist?
| Sonnets | |