Poems (Southey)/Volume 1/Inscription 01 - For a Column at Newbury
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Inscriptions.
The three utilities of Poetry: the praise of Virtue and Goodness, the memory of things remarkable, and to invigorate the Affections.
Welsh Triad.
INSCRIPTION I.
For a COLUMN at NEWBURY.
Art thou a Patriot Traveller? on this field
Did Falkland fall, the blameless and the brave,
Beneath a Tyrant's banners: dost thou boast
Of loyal ardor? Hambden perish'd here,
The rebel Hambden, at whose glorious name
The heart of every honest Englishman
Beats high with conscious pride. Both uncorrupt,
Friends to their common country both, they fought,
They died in adverse armies. Traveller!
If with thy neighbour thou should'st not accord,
In charity remember these good men,
And quell each angry and injurious thought.
Did Falkland fall, the blameless and the brave,
Beneath a Tyrant's banners: dost thou boast
Of loyal ardor? Hambden perish'd here,
The rebel Hambden, at whose glorious name
The heart of every honest Englishman
Beats high with conscious pride. Both uncorrupt,
Friends to their common country both, they fought,
They died in adverse armies. Traveller!
If with thy neighbour thou should'st not accord,
In charity remember these good men,
And quell each angry and injurious thought.