Such was old Chaucer. Such the placid mien Of him who first with harmony informed The language of our fathers. Here he dwelt For many a cheerful day. These ancient walls Have often heard him, while his legends blithe He sang; of love, or knighthood, or the wiles Of homely life: through each estate and age, The fashions and the follies of the world With cunning hand portraying. Though perchance From Blenheim's towers, O stranger, thou art come, Glowing with Churchill's trophies; yet in vain Dost thou applaud them, if thy breast be cold To him, this other hero; who, in times Dark and untaught, began with charming verse To tame the rudeness of his native land. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SUSSEX DRINKING SONG by HILAIRE BELLOC THE SITTING by CECIL DAY LEWIS PUSSY-WILLOW TIME by ROBERT FROST THE MEASURE OF THE YEAR by JAMES GALVIN THE ORANGE PICKER by DAVID IGNATOW PEACE (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON BOTANICAL GARDENS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DOMESDAY BOOK: ALMA BELL TO THE CORONER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |