 | Odes (1894) |  |
64
AFTER THE TITANS
England, in good Victoria's latter reign,
Two potent councillors by turns have led,
Little alike in build of heart or head,
Yet owning this resemblance,—that the twain
Are visibly of Britain's ancient strain,
Sprung of the lineage of her stalwart dead,
Strong souls and massive, such as England bred
In the brave day that cometh not again.
Two potent councillors by turns have led,
Little alike in build of heart or head,
Yet owning this resemblance,—that the twain
Are visibly of Britain's ancient strain,
Sprung of the lineage of her stalwart dead,
Strong souls and massive, such as England bred
In the brave day that cometh not again.
To these succeeds another, newer race,
Men light and slight, on narrower scale designed,
Offspring and image of the change we trace
In art, arms, action, manners, morals, mind,—
The burly oak departing, in its place
The lissom willow, swaying to the wind.
Men light and slight, on narrower scale designed,
65
In art, arms, action, manners, morals, mind,—
The burly oak departing, in its place
The lissom willow, swaying to the wind.
| Odes (1894) | |