BRITISH FREEDOM.[1]
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"—[2]
Roused though it be full often to a mood, 5
Which spurns the check of salutary bands,
That this most famous stream in bogs and sands
Should perish,[3] and to evil and to good
Be lost for ever. In our halls is hung
Armoury of the invincible knights of old: 10
We must be free or die, who speak the tongue
That Shakspeare spake—the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held. In everything we're sprung
Of earth's first blood, have titles manifold.
—Wordsworth.
[1] Written in 1802 or 1803, when an invasion of England by Napoleon was expected.
[2] This phrase is quoted from a poem by Daniel, an Elizabethan poet.
[3] in bogs and sands should perish. Should be destroyed by Napoleon.