In the works of Sir Walter Scott [1771-1832] one gains beautiful insights and descriptions about chivalric character and patriotism. Whether one reads the poem below or his works like "Ivanhoe," this man puts together words that move the soul.
It seems that Sir Walter had another scoundrel in mind in his time on the day that he wrote this poem two hundred years ago. Readers can decide for themselves who comes to mind today:
Patriotism
Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
'This is my own my native land!'
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd
As home his footsteps he hath turn'd
From wandering on a foreign strand?
If such there breathe, go mark him well;
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power and pelf,
The wretched, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonor'd, and unsung.
Read it again and savor the words. Let those who have eyes, read, and those who have minds, reason.
William R. Mann——
Bio and Archives
William R. Mann, is a retired Lt. Colonel, US Army. He is a now a political observer, analyst, activist and writer for Conservative causes. He was educated at West Point [Bachelor of Science, 1971 ]and the Naval Postgraduate School [Masters, National Security Affairs, 1982].
