“WE MUST BE FREE”
Written at the beginning of the nineteenth century, when Napoleon was contemplating an invasion of Britain, the following sonnet by Wordsworth has been sent to The Southland Times by a correspondent: It is not to be thought of meet 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 Which sperms the check of salutary bands, That this most famous stream in bogs and sands Should perish; and 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 spoke; the faith and morals hold Which Milton held—ln everything we are sprung Of earth's first blood, have titles manifold. W. Wordsworth.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19400420.2.140
Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 19
Word Count
149“WE MUST BE FREE” Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 19
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