Not serried ranks with flags unfurled, Not armored ships that gird the world, Not hoarded wealth nor busy mills, Not cattle on a thousand hills, Not sages wise, nor schools nor laws, Not boasted deeds in freedom's cause— All these may be, and yet the state In the eye of God be far from great. That land is great which knows the Lord, Whose songs are guided by His word; Where justice rules 'twixt man and man, Where love controls in art and plan; Where, breathing in his native air, Each soul finds joy in praise and prayer— Thus may our country, good and great, Be God's delight—man's best estate. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INGRATEFUL [OR UNGRATEFUL] BEAUTY THREATENED by THOMAS CAREW EDWIN MORRIS; OR, THE LAKE by ALFRED TENNYSON THESEUS, SELECTION by BACCHYLIDES IN FESTUBERT by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN ON A BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |