COME ye -- who, if (which Heaven avert!) the Land Were with herself at strife, would take your stand, Like gallant Falkland, by the Monarch's side, And, like Montrose, make Loyalty your pride -- Come ye -- who, not less zealous, might display Banners at enmity with regal sway, And, like the Pyms and Miltons of that day, Think that a State would live in sounder health If Kingship bowed its head to Commonwealth -- Ye too -- whom no discreditable fear Would keep, perhaps with many a fruitless tear, Uncertain what to choose and how to steer -- And ye -- who might mistake for sober sense And wise reserve the plea of indolence -- Come ye -- whate'er your creed -- O waken all, Whate'er your temper, at your Country's call; Resolving (this a free-born Nation can) To have one Soul, and perish to a man, Or save this honoured Land from every Lord But British reason and the British sword. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VAIN TEARS, FR. THE QUEEN OF CORINTH by JOHN FLETCHER MY LADY'S PLEASURE by ROBERT GRAHAM A QUESTION by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE IN YOUTH IS PLEASURE by ROBERT WEVER THE COTTAGER TO HER INFANT by DOROTHY WORDSWORTH |