IT is not to be thought of that the flood <br /> Of British freedom, which, to the open sea <br /> Of the world's praise, from dark antiquity <br />Hath flow'd, 'with pomp of waters, unwithstood,' <br />Roused though it be full often to a mood <br /> Which spurns the check of salutary bands,-- <br /> That this most famous stream in bogs and sands <br />Should perish; and to evil and to good <br />Be lost for ever. In our halls is hung <br /> Armoury of the invincible Knights of old: <br />We must be free or die, who speak the tongue <br /> That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold <br />Which Milton held.--In everything we are sprung <br /> Of Earth's first blood, have titles manifold.<br /><br />William Wordsworth<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/england-iv/
