The Poem

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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 flowed, "with pomp of waters, unwithstood,"
Roused though it be full often to a mood
Which spurns the check of salutary bands,
That this most famous Stream in bogs and sands
Should perish; and to evil and to good
Be lost for ever. In our halls is hung
Armoury of the invincible Knights of old:
We must be free or die, who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held.—In every thing we are sprung
Of Earth's first blood, have titles manifold.
[Contents 1802]
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[1]
[2]

[B]

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[Variant 1:]

1827
... unwithstood,
Road by which all might come and go that would,
And bear out freights of worth to foreign lands;

1803

... unwithstood,
Road by which all might come and go that would,
And bear out freights of worth to foreign lands;

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[Variant 2:]

1807
... must live ...1803

... must live ...

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[Footnote A:]

It was first printed in The Morning Post, April 16. 1803, and signed W. L. D.—Ed.

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[Footnote B:]

Compare Daniel's Civil War, book ii. stanza 7.—Ed.

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[Contents 1802]
[Main Contents]

"When I have borne in memory what has tamed"

Composed September, 1802.—Published 1807[A]