There was a time in Europe long ago
When no man died for freedom anywhere,
But England’s lion leaping from its lair
Laid hands on the oppressor! it was so
While England could a great Republic show.
Witness the men of Piedmont, chiefest care
Of Cromwell, when with impotent despair
The Pontiff in his painted portico
Trembled before our stern ambassadors.
How comes it then that from such high estate
We have thus fallen, save that Luxury
With barren merchandise piles up the gate
Where noble thoughts and deeds should enter by:
Else might we still be Milton’s heritors.
(Oscar Wilde)
More Poetry from Oscar Wilde:
Oscar Wilde Poems based on Topics: Man, Time, England- Ballad of Reading Gaol II (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Ballad of Reading Gaol - I (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- The Teacher Of Wisdom (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Endymion (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Serenade (Oscar Wilde Poems)
- Lotus Leaves (Oscar Wilde Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Time Poems, England PoemsBased on Keywords: cromwell, portico, pontiff, merchandise, oppressor, heritors, piedmont