GREAT men have been among us; hands that penned And tongues that uttered wisdom -- better none: The later Sidney, Marvel, Harrington, Young Vane, and others who called Milton friend. These moralists could act and comprehend: They knew how genuine glory was put on; Taught us how rightfully nation shone In splendour: what strength was, that would not bend But in magnanimous meekness. France, 'tis strange, Hath brought forth no such souls as we had then. Perpetual emptiness! unceasing change! No single volume paramount, no code, No master spirit, no determined road; But equally a want of books and men! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLEAD FOR ME by EMILY JANE BRONTE THE SPIRES OF OXFORD by WINIFRED MARY LETTS THE WASTE PLACES by JAMES STEPHENS THE SONG OF A TRAVELLER by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THE VISION OF SIN by ALFRED TENNYSON ECHOES OF SPRING: 2 by MATHILDE BLIND MY HEART AND I by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: THE LAST REMONSTRANCE by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |