For England Poems written during estrangement: By William Watson |
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| I. |
| II. |
| V. |
| V. | V FORCE AND FREEDOM |
| VII. |
| IX. |
| XI. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
 | For England |  |
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V
FORCE AND FREEDOM
Oh, doubtless ye can trample and enchain,
Sow death and breathe out winter; but can ye
Persuade the destined bondsman he is free,
Or with a signal build the summer again?
Oh, ye can hold the rivulets of the plain
A little while from nuptials with the sea,
But the fierce mountain-stream of Liberty
Not edicts and not hosts may long restrain.
For this is of the heights and of the deeps,
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This, 'mid the lofty places of the mind,
Gushes pellucid, vehemently upheaved;
And tears and heart's blood hallow it, as it sweeps
Invincibly on, co-during with mankind.
| For England | |