WHY cast ye back upon the Gallic shore, Ye furious waves! a patriotic Son Of England -- who in hope her coast had won, His project crowned, his pleasant travel o'er? Well -- let him pace this noted beach once more, That gave the Roman his triumphal shells; That saw the Corsican his cap and bells Haughtily shake, a dreaming Conqueror! -- Enough: my Country's cliffs I can behold, And proudly think, beside the chafing sea, Of checked ambition, tyranny controlled, And folly cursed with endless memory: These local recollections ne'er can cloy; Such ground I from my very heart enjoy! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DRAW THE SWORD, O REPUBLIC by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE DEATH OF GRANT by AMBROSE BIERCE AUGURIES OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE FUTURE LIFE by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT SOMETHING CHILDISH, BUT VERY NATURAL; WRITTEN IN GERMANY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE ON THE ROAD by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR |