137. the Baltic and the Nile. The battle of the Baltic was fought at Copenhagen in 1801. The battle of the Nile was fought in Aboukir Bay in 1798.
145. The real proof of a man’s fame is seen in the fact that a nation continues to honour him and echo his praises from century to century.
152. During the few years preceding the publication of this poem, revolutions had taken place in several countries of Europe.
155. Saxon. Changed to “Briton” in a later edition.
160-1. the eye, the soul of Europe. He speaks of England as the country that not only sees what is best but is most anxious for true progress.
162. the one true seed of freedom. British freedom representing the only true freedom of Europe.
168. Note the figure of speech.
170. wink. Close the eyes.
179-80. He never did wrong for the sake of some immediate advantage, nor trifled with what is right, for the sake of gaining power.
182. People of either high or low rank who were given to talking idly.