The Poem

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When I have borne in memory what has tamed
Great Nations, how ennobling thoughts depart
When men change swords for ledgers, and desert
The student's bower for gold, some fears unnamed
I had, my Country!—am I to be blamed?
Now, when I think of thee, and what thou art,
Verily, in the bottom of my heart,
Of those unfilial fears I am ashamed.
For dearly must we prize thee; we who find
In thee a bulwark for the cause of men;
And I by my affection was beguiled:
What wonder if a Poet now and then,
Among the many movements of his mind,
Felt for thee as a lover or a child!
[Contents 1802]
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[Variant 1:]

1845
But,...1803

But,...

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[Variant 2:]

1807
I of those fears of mine am much ashamed.1803

I of those fears of mine am much ashamed.

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[Variant 3:]

1845
But dearly do I prize thee for I find
In thee a bulwark of the cause of men;
1803
But dearly must we prize thee; we who find1807
... for the cause of men;1827
Most dearly 1838

But dearly do I prize thee for I find
In thee a bulwark of the cause of men;

But dearly must we prize thee; we who find

... for the cause of men;

Most dearly

The text of 1840 returns to that of 1827.

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[Footnote A:]

But printed previously in The Morning Post, September 17, 1803, under the title England, and signed W. L. D. Also, see Coleridge's Poems on Political Events, 1828-9.—Ed.

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[Contents 1802]
[Main Contents]

Composed after a Journey across the Hambleton Hills, Yorkshire[A]