54.  FROM THE KIND.  From our fellow-beings.

  “IT IS NOT TO BE THOUGHT OF”

  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,’
  Roused though it be full often to a mood 5
  Which spurns the check of salutary bands,
  That this most famous Stream in bogs and sands
  Should perish, and to evil and to good
  Be lost forever.  In our halls is hung
  Armoury of the invincible Knights of old:  10
  We must be free or die, who speak the tongue
  That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold
  Which Milton held.—­In everything we are sprung
  Of Earth’s first blood, have titles manifold.

4.  ‘WITH POMP OF WATERS, UNWITHSTOOD.’  This is quoted from Daniel’s Civil War, Bk. ii, stanza 7.

WRITTEN IN LONDON, SEPTEMBER, 1802

  O Friend!  I know not which way I must look
  For comfort, being, as I am, oppressed,
  To think that now our life is only dressed
  For show; mean handiwork of craftsman, cook,
  Or groom!—­We must run glittering like a brook 5
  In the open sunshine, or we are unblessed: 
  The wealthiest man among us is the best: 
  No grandeur now in nature or in book
  Delights us.  Rapine, avarice, expense,
  This is idolatry; and these we adore:  10
  Plain living and high thinking are no more: 
  The homely beauty of the good old cause
  Is gone; our peace, our fearful innocence,
  And pure religion breathing household laws.

LONDON, 1802

  Milton! thou should’st be living at this hour: 
  England hath need of thee:  she is a fen
  Of stagnant waters; altar, sword, and pen,
  Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
  Have forfeited their ancient English dower 5
  Of inward happiness.  We are selfish men;
  Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
  And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. 
  Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart: 
  Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:  10
  Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
  So didst thou travel on life’s common way,
  In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
  The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

  “DARK AND MORE DARK THE SHADES OF EVENING FELL”

  Dark and more dark the shades of evening fell;
  The wished-for point was reached—­but at an hour
  When little could be gained from that rich dower
  Of Prospect, whereof many thousands tell. 
  Yet did the glowing west with marvellous power 5
  Salute us; there stood Indian citadel,
  Temple of Greece, and minster with its tower
  Substantially expressed—­a place