306
Fleet Street Eclogue
Herbert.
I hear the lofty lark,
The lowly nightingale.
I hear the lofty lark,
The lowly nightingale.
Basil.
The Present is a dungeon dark
Of social problems. Break the gaol!
Get out into the splendid Past,
Or bid the splendid Future hail.
The Present is a dungeon dark
Of social problems. Break the gaol!
Get out into the splendid Past,
Or bid the splendid Future hail.
Menzies.
Nor then, nor now, nor first, nor last,
I know. The slave of ruthless Law,
To me Time seems a dungeon vast
Where Life lies rotting in the straw.
Nor then, nor now, nor first, nor last,
I know. The slave of ruthless Law,
To me Time seems a dungeon vast
Where Life lies rotting in the straw.
Basil.
I care not for your images
Of Life and Law. I want to sing
Of England and of Englishmen
Who made our country what it is.
I care not for your images
Of Life and Law. I want to sing
Of England and of Englishmen
Who made our country what it is.
Herbert.
And I to praise the English Spring.
And I to praise the English Spring.
Percy.
St. George for Merry England, then!
St. George for Merry England, then!
Menzies.