Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind In men of low degree, all smooth pretence! I better like a blunt indifference, And self-respecting slowness, disinclined To win me at first sight: and be there joined Patience and temperance with this high reserve, Honour that knows the path and will not swerve; Affections which, if put to proof, are kind; And piety towards God. Such men of old Were England's native growth; and, throughout Spain, (Thanks to high God) forests of such remain: Then for that Country let our hopes be bold; For matched with these shall policy prove vain, Her arts, her strength, her iron, and her gold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MULBERRY GARDEN: CHILD AND MAIDEN by CHARLES SEDLEY ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 25. THE VIRGIN by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH TO THE DEAD FAVOURITE OF LIU CH'E by DJUNA BARNES SONNET by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) MONODY ON A LADY FAMED FOR HER CAPRICE by ROBERT BURNS TO A CHILD by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR A VOYAGE TO IRELAND IN BURLESQUE by CHARLES COTTON |