Poems Written in Close Confinement in The Tower and Newgate Under a Charge of High Treason. By John Thelwall |
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| II. |
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| V. |
| VI. | SONNET VI. TO ANCESTRY.
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| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
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 | Poems Written in Close Confinement in The Tower and Newgate |  |
6
SONNET VI. TO ANCESTRY.
O, THAT there were indeed some hidden charm—Some magic power in Ancestry!—thy shore,
O Britain! then, renown'd in days of yore
For gallant spirits, ne'er should brook the arm
Of tyrannous Oppression;—then no more
Should thy degenerate progeny adore
The arts of splendid Slavery, that now
Unnerve the soul, and of her 'custom'd vow
Defraud thy once-lov'd Liberty;—the lore
Of Freedom should be reverenc'd; nor the few,
To ancient fame, and patriot feeling true,
Who dare assert thy rights, deserted mourn—
From each endearing tie of Nature torn,
And from the dungeon's gloom their Country's fall deplore.
Tower, 17th July, 1794.
| Poems Written in Close Confinement in The Tower and Newgate | |