Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind In men of low degree, all smooth pretence! I better like a blunt indifference, And self-respecting slowness, disinclined To win me at first sight: and be there joined Patience and temperance with this high reserve, Honour that knows the path and will not swerve; Affections which, if put to proof, are kind; And piety towards God. Such men of old Were England's native growth; and, throughout Spain, (Thanks to high God) forests of such remain: Then for that Country let our hopes be bold; For matched with these shall policy prove vain, Her arts, her strength, her iron, and her gold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PARTY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE INVITATION by GEORGE HERBERT SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: FIDDLER JONES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS FOUR LITTLE FOXES by LEW SARETT THE CRUSADERS' MARCH by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN MY NANNIE'S AWA (1) by ROBERT BURNS VERMONT 'TAVERN STANDS' by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. THE BODY WITHIN THE BODY by EDWARD CARPENTER |