Page:Two Poems - Browning and Browning (1854).djvu/6

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4
A PLEA FOR THE

III.

"England's righteous," they rejoin,

"Who shall grudge her exultations,
When her wealth of golden coin
Works the welfare of the nations?"

IV.

I am listening here in Rome.

Over Alps a voice is sweeping—
"England's cruel! save us some
Of these victims in her keeping!"

V.

As the cry beneath the wheel

Of an old triumphal Roman
Cleft the people's shouts like steel,
While the show was spoilt for no man,

VI.

Comes that voice. Let others shout,

Other poets praise my land here—
I am sadly sitting out,
Praying, "God forgive her grandeur."