| > | | | | Such a breed of mighty men |
| Three poems about England that inspire me in these | | | | As come forward, one to ten, |
| interesting times. | | | | To the Song on your bugles blown, |
| Descriptions of England | | | | England |
| When countries face economic challenges, there is | | | | Down the years on your bugles blown? |
| also a period of self reflection in those countries. This is | | | | Ever the faith endures, |
| no less true than in England. England is the largest part | | | | England, my England: |
| of the island of Britain. In recent years it has become a | | | | 'Take and break us: we are yours, |
| nation with something of an identity crisis. For example | | | | England, my own! |
| the other nations of the Union - Wales, Scotland and | | | | Life is good, and joy runs high |
| Northern Ireland have strong cultural symbols which | | | | Between English earth and sky: |
| are lacking in England. Many English people are unsure | | | | Death is death; but we shall die |
| whether to describe themselves as 'English' or 'British'. It | | | | To the Song on your bugles blown, |
| seems as though the English have no national identity. | | | | England |
| The British are citizens of the UK - the United Kingdom | | | | To the stars on your bugles blown!' |
| of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. | | | | They call you proud and hard, |
| Therefore in this article I decided to provide three | | | | England, my England: |
| descriptions of England from three very different | | | | You with worlds to watch and ward, |
| writers. There are many descriptions of England in | | | | England, my own! |
| poetry, drama, novels etc. Some are flattering, some | | | | You whose mail'd hand keeps the keys |
| are negative. But due to the current circumstances I | | | | Of such teeming destinies, |
| decided to include The following three wonderful | | | | You could know nor dread nor ease |
| examples of descriptions of England. | | | | Were the Song on your bugles blown, |
| 1. The words of John of Gaunt in Shakespeare's play | | | | England, |
| 'Richard II' | | | | Round the Pit on your bugles blown! |
| The following words are spoken by John of Gaunt. | | | | Mother of Ships whose might, |
| Gaunt was the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a member | | | | England, my England, |
| of the House of Plantagenet. The name Gaunt comes | | | | Is the fierce old Sea's delight, |
| from his birthplace, Ghent which is in Belgium: 'Ghent' | | | | England, my own, |
| became 'Gaunt' in English. Gaunt was uncle to Richard | | | | Chosen daughter of the Lord, |
| II. Richard II's reign had caused many problems in | | | | Spouse-in-Chief of the ancient Sword, |
| England and Gaunt had come to assist him. The | | | | There 's the menace of the Word |
| speech is made while Gaunt waits to meet Richard | | | | In the Song on your bugles blown, |
| with the Duke of York at Ely House. | | | | England |
| I like this very much because it conveys the essence | | | | Out of heaven on your bugles blown!by William Ernest |
| of England as a mix of beauty and strength. | | | | Henley |
| SHAKESPEARE: KING RICHARD II, ACT 2 SCENE 1 | | | | 3. William Blake - England |
| This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle | | | | The following poem was written by William Blake 1804. |
| This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars | | | | Blake was a painter, poet and printmaker. It is |
| This other Eden, demi-paradise | | | | interesting from a theological point of view, reflecting |
| This fortress built by Nature for herself | | | | the strange English sect 'The New Jerusalem Church" |
| Against infection and the hand of war | | | | which believed among other things that the 'Holy city' |
| This happy breed of men, this little world | | | | described in the Book of Revelation to be England and |
| This precious stone set in the silver sea | | | | that Jesus visited England. It is this last idea that is |
| Which serves it in the office of a wall | | | | reflected in the poem. |
| Or as a moat defensive to a house | | | | Despite its theological leanings the poem is very |
| Against the envy of less happier lands | | | | popular in England where it is usually sung to a tune |
| This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. | | | | composed by C. Hubert H. Parry in 1916. |
| 2. 'England My England' | | | | The poem is included here because of its famous |
| 'England My England' was written by William Ernest | | | | descriptions of England. |
| Henley (August 23, 1849 - July 11, 1903). Henley was an | | | | JERUSALEM |
| English poet, journalist and critic. Henley was born in | | | | And did those feet in ancient time |
| Gloucester, England and educated at the Crypt | | | | Walk upon England's mountains green? |
| Grammar School. During his life he suffered from a | | | | And was the holy Lamb of God |
| series of terrible illnesses including tuberculosis as a | | | | On England's pleasant pastures seen? |
| child and spent period in hospital. | | | | And did the Countenance Divine |
| ENGLAND MY ENGLAND | | | | Shine forth upon our clouded hills? |
| England My England | | | | And was Jerusalem builded here |
| What have I done for you, | | | | Among these dark Satanic mills? |
| England, my England? | | | | Bring me my bow of burning gold! |
| What is there I would not do, | | | | Bring me my arrows of desire! |
| England, my own? | | | | Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold! |
| With your glorious eyes austere, | | | | Bring me my chariot of fire! |
| As the Lord were walking near, | | | | I will not cease from mental fight, |
| Whispering terrible things and dear | | | | Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand |
| As the Song on your bugles blown, | | | | Till we have built Jerusalem |
| England | | | | In England's green and pleasant land. |
| Round the world on your bugles blown! | | | | Visit the website of the coolest Englishman on the |
| Where shall the watchful sun, | | | | plant for more descriptions of England The site also |
| England, my England, | | | | includes a description of some famous English people, |
| Match the master-work you've done, | | | | English news and will include articles on the English |
| England, my own? | | | | psyche. |
| When shall he rejoice agen | | | | |