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To England (2) - Druckversion +- Sonett-Forum (https://sonett-archiv.com/forum) +-- Forum: Sonett-Archiv (https://sonett-archiv.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=126) +--- Forum: Sonette aus germanischen Sprachen (https://sonett-archiv.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=394) +---- Forum: Englische Sonette (https://sonett-archiv.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=818) +----- Forum: Autoren B (https://sonett-archiv.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=830) +------ Forum: Boker, George Henry (https://sonett-archiv.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=1048) +------ Thema: To England (2) (/showthread.php?tid=16362) |
To England (2) - ZaunköniG - 08.07.2007 To England I Lear and Cordelia! 't was an ancient tale Before thy Shakespeare gave it deathless fame: The times have changed, the moral is the same. So like an outcast, dowerless, and pale, Thy daughter went; and in a foreign gale Spread her young banner, till its sway became A wonder to the nations. Days of shame Are close upon thee: prophets raise their wail. When the rude Cossack with an outstretched hand Points his long spear across the narrow sea,-- "Lo, there is England!" when thy destiny Storms on thy straw-crowned head, and thou dost stand Weak, helpless, mad, a by-word in the land,-- God grant thy daughter a Cordelia be! II Stand, thou great bulwark of man's liberty! Thou rock of shelter, rising from the wave, Sole refuge to the overwearied brave Who planned, arose, and battled to be free, Fell undeterred, then sadly turned to thee;-- Saved the free spirit from their country's grave, To rise again, and animate the slave, When God shall ripen all things. Britons, ye Who guard the sacred outpost, not in vain Hold your proud peril! Freemen undefiled, Keep watch and ward! Let battlements be piled Around your cliffs; fleets marshalled, till the main Sinks under them; and if your courage wane, Through force or fraud, look westward to your child. |