English poetry

PoetsBiographiesPoems by ThemesRandom Poem
The Rating of PoetsThe Rating of Poems

Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox


England, Awake!


A beautiful great lady, past her prime,
Behold her dreaming in her easy chair;
Gray robed, and veiled, in laces old and rare,
Her smiling eyes see but the vanished time,
Of splendid prowess, and of deeds sublime.
    Self satisfied she sits, all unaware
    That peace has flown before encroaching care,
And through her halls stalks hunger, linked with crime.

England, awake! from dreams of what has been,
    Look on what is, and put the past away.
Speak to your sons, until they understand.
England, awake! for dreaming now is sin;
    In all your ancient wisdom, rise to-day,
And save the glory of your menaced land. 



Ella Wheeler Wilcox


Ella Wheeler Wilcox's other poems:
  1. Queries
  2. Assistance
  3. At Eleusis
  4. Affirm
  5. Baby Eva


Poem to print Print

1228 Views



Last Poems


To Russian version


Ðåéòèíã@Mail.ru

English Poetry. E-mail eng-poetry.ru@yandex.ru