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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VER TENEBROSUM: HOME-ROOTEDNESS, by WILLIAM WATSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: I cannot boast myself cosmopolite
Last Line: With cradle-song of her protecting seas?
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): England; English
First Line: I cannot boast myself cosmopolite
Last Line: With cradle-song of her protecting seas?
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): England; English
I CANNOT boast myself cosmopolite;
I own to "insularity," although
'Tis fall'n from fashion, as full well I know.
For somehow, being a plain and simple wight,
I am skin-deep a child of the new light,
But chiefly am mere Englishman below,
Of island-fostering; and can hate a foe,
And trust my kin before the Muscovite.
Whom shall I trust if not my kin? And whom
Account so near in natural bonds as these
Born of my mother England's mighty womb,
Nursed on my mother England's mighty knees,
And lull'd as I was lull'd in glory and gloom
With cradle-song of her protecting seas?
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