The Poetry Corner

England's Enemy

By John Frederick Freeman

She stands like one with mazy cares distraught. Around her sudden angry storm-clouds rise, Dark, dark! and comes the look into her eyes Of eld. All that herself herself hath taught She cons anew, that courage new be caught Of courage old. Yet comfortless still lies Snake-like in her warm bosom (vexed with sighs) Fear of the greatness that herself hath wrought. No glory but her memory teems with it, No beauty that's not hers; more nobly none Of all her sisters runs with her; but she For her old destiny dreams herself unfit, And fumbling at the future doubtfully Muses how Rome of Romans was undone.