HOME-ROOTEDNESS

I cannot boast myself cosmopolite;

I own to “insularity,” although

‘ Tis fall'n from fashion, as full well I know.

For somehow, being a plain and simple wight,

I am skin-deep a child of the new light,

But chiefly am mere Englishman below,

Of island-fostering; and can hate a foe,

And trust my kin before the Muscovite.

Whom shall I trust if not my kin? And whom

Account so near in natural bonds as these

Born of my mother England's mighty womb,

Nursed on my mother England's mighty knees,

And lull'd as I was lull'd in glory and gloom

With cradle-song of her protecting seas?