It is not to be thought of that the Flood...

It is not to be thought of that the Flood

Of British freedom, which to the open Sea

Of the world's praise from dark antiquity

Hath flowed, “with pomp of waters, unwithstood,”

Road by which all might come and go that would,

And bear out freights of worth to foreign lands;

That this most famous Stream in Bogs and Sands

Should perish; and to evil and to good

Be lost for ever. In our Halls is hung

Armoury of the invincible Knights of old:

We must be free or die, who speak the tongue

That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold

Which Milton held. In every thing we are sprung

Of Earth's first blood, have titles manifold.