Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MONITION by JOHN KELLS INGRAM

Poem Explanation

First Line: ENGLAND, ON EVERY SEA THY NAVY RIDES



ENGLAND, on every sea thy navies ride,
And larger breadths of earth thy throne obey
Than own'd of old the conquering Roman's sway;
Yet, at this full swell of thy fortune's tide ,
Hear thou a warning word:
Beware of pride A Nemesis sits ever at her gates;
Shun selfish greed; respect thy sister States,
And fail not those who in thy truth confide.
Wrong not the dark-hued subjects of thy rule,
Compel them not to toil for others' gain
In blind and unaspiring servitude.
Rather, with godlike art Prométhean , school
Each laggard race by discipline humane,
And lead them gently on to all things good.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net