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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VER TENEBROSUM: OUR EASTERN TREASURE, by WILLIAM WATSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Somewhere in cobwebb'd corners I can hear
Last Line: A splendour blotted from that far-watched brow?
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): Great Britain - Commonwealth & Colonies; India; British Empire; England - Empire
First Line: Somewhere in cobwebb'd corners I can hear
Last Line: A splendour blotted from that far-watched brow?
Alternate Author Name(s): Watson, John William
Subject(s): Great Britain - Commonwealth & Colonies; India; British Empire; England - Empire
SOMEWHERE in cobwebb'd corners I can hear
A thin voice pipingly revived of late,
Which saith our India is a cumbrous weight,
An idle decoration bought too dear.
The wiser world contemns not gorgeous gear,
And knows that by a just and happy fate
The sense of greatness keeps a nation great,
Telling her when to fear not -- when to fear!
It may be that if hands of greed could steal
From England's grasp the envied orient prize,
This tide of gold would flood her still, as now;
But were she the same England, made to feel
A brightness gone from those far-watching eyes,
A splendour blotted from that far-watched brow?
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