Restless the Northern Bear amid his snows <br />Crouched by the Neva; menacing is France, <br />That sees the shadow of the Uhlan's lance <br />On her clipped borders; struggling in the throes <br />Of wanton war lies Spain, and deathward goes. <br />And thou, O England, how the time's mischance <br />Hath fettered thee, that with averted glance <br />Thou standest, marble to Armenia's woes! <br />If 'twas thy haughty Dauther of the West <br />That stayed thy hand,, a word had driven away <br />Her sudden ire, and brought her to thy breast! <br />Thy blood makes quick her pulses, and some day, <br />Not now, yet some day, at thy soft behest <br />She by thy side shall hold the world at bay.<br /><br />Thomas Bailey Aldrich<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-reading-william-watson-s-sonnet-entitled-the/
