English poem
TO ENGLAND.
by Francis William Lauderdale Adams (1862–1893)
There was a time when all thy sons were proud To speak thy name, England, when Europe echoed back aloud Thy fearless fame:
When Spain reeled shattered helpless from thy guns And splendid ire, When from Canadian snows to Indian suns Pitt's soul was fire.
O that in days like these were, fair and free From shame and scorn, Fate had allowed, benignly, pityingly That I was born!
O that, if struck, then struck with glorious wounds, I bore apart (Not torn with fangs of leprous coward hounds) My bleeding heart!