English poem
“What If Our Numbers Barely Could Defy”
Composed 1837.--Published 1837
One of the “Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty.”--ED.
What if our numbers barely could defy The arithmetic of babes, must foreign hordes, Slaves, vile as ever were befooled by words, Striking through English breasts the anarchy Of Terror, bear us to the ground, and tie Our hands behind our backs with felon cords? Yields every thing to discipline of swords? Is man as good as man, none low, none high?-- Nor discipline nor valour can withstand The shock, nor quell the inevitable rout, When in some great extremity breaks out A people, on their own beloved Land Risen, like one man, to combat in the sight Of a just God for liberty and right.
1837.
… nor stem …
C.
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- “Throned In The Sun’S Descending Car”
- “Through Cumbrian Wilds, In Many A Mountain Cove”
- “Wansfell! This Household Has A Favoured Lot”
- “What Heavenly Smiles! O Lady Mine”
- “When Love Was Born Of Heavenly Line”
- “When Severn’S Sweeping Flood Had Overthrown”
- “Where Lies The Truth? Has Man, In Wisdom’S Creed”
- “While Beams Of Orient Light Shoot Wide And High”