And is it among rude untutored Dales, There, and there only, that the heart is true? And, rising to repel or to subdue, Is it by rocks and woods that man prevails? Ah no! though Nature's dread protection fails, There is a bulwark in the soul. This knew Iberian Burghers when the sword they drew In Zaragoza, naked to the gales Of fiercely-breathing war. The truth was felt By Palafox, and many a brave compeer, Like him of noble birth and noble mind; By ladies, meek-eyed women without fear; And wanderers of the street, to whom is dealt The bread which without industry they find. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LITTLE BOY FOUND, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE OVIDIAN ELEGIAC METRE, DESCRIBED AND EXEMPLIFIED by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE FABLES: 1ST SER. 5. THE WILD BOAR AND THE RAM by JOHN GAY THE RESPECTABLE BURGHER, ON 'THE HIGHER CRITICISM' by THOMAS HARDY ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 2. TO SLEEP by MARK AKENSIDE EMPTYING ASHES by MAXWELL ANDERSON SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 21. THE WORLD'S MARRIAGE MORN by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |