Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/627

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525.
iii
Great men have been among us; hands that penn'd And tongues that utter'd wisdom—better none: The later Sidney, Marvel, Harrington,Young Vane, and others who call'd Milton friend.These moralists could act and comprehend: They knew how genuine glory was put on; Taught us how rightfully a nation shoneIn splendour: what strength was, that would not bendBut in magnanimous meekness. France, 'tis strange, Hath brought forth no such souls as we had then.Perpetual emptiness! unceasing change! No single volume paramount, no code, No master spirit, no determined road; But equally a want of books and men!
526.
iv
It is not to be thought of that the flood Of British freedom, which, to the open sea Of the world's praise, from dark antiquityHath flow'd, 'with pomp of waters, unwithstood,'—Roused though it be full often to a mood Which spurns the check of salutary bands,— That this most famous stream in bogs and sandsShould perish; and to evil and to goodBe lost for ever. In our halls is hung Armoury of the invincible Knights of old:We must be free or die, who speak the tongue That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals holdWhich Milton held.—In everything we are sprung Of Earth's first blood, have titles manifold.
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