No More Learning

Vanguard of Liberty, ye men of Kent, [A]
Ye children of a Soil that doth advance
Her [1] haughty brow against the coast of France,
Now is the time to prove your hardiment!
To France be words of invitation sent! 5
They from their fields can see the countenance
Of your fierce war, may ken the glittering lance
And hear you shouting forth your brave intent.
Left single, in bold parley, ye, of yore,
Did from the Norman win a gallant wreath; 10
Confirmed the charters that were yours before;--
No parleying now! In Britain is one breath;
We all are with you now from shore to shore:--
Ye men of Kent, 'tis victory or death!


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VARIANT ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1827.

It's . . . 1807.

It's haughty forehead 'gainst . . . MS. ]


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FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: Compare Michael Drayton's 'Barons' Wars', book i.
:

'Then those of Kent, unconquered of the rest,
That to this day maintain their ancient right. '

Ed. ]





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IN THE PASS OF KILLICRANKY,

An invasion being expected, October 1803


Composed October 1803. --Published 1807

From 1807 to 1820 this sonnet was one of those "dedicated to Liberty. "
In 1827 it was included among the "Memorials of a Tour in Scotland,
1803. " From 1807 to 1820 the title was simply October, 1803. --Ed.




Six thousand veterans practised in war's game,
Tried men, at Killicranky were arrayed
Against an equal host that wore the plaid,
Shepherds and herdsmen. --Like a whirlwind came
The Highlanders, the slaughter spread like flame; 5
And Garry, thundering down his mountain-road,
Was stopped, and could not breathe beneath the load
Of the dead bodies. --'Twas a day of shame
For them whom precept and the pedantry
Of cold mechanic battle do enslave. 10
O for a single hour of that Dundee, [A]
Who on that day the word of onset gave!
Like conquest would the Men of England see;
And her Foes find a like inglorious grave.


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FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: See an anecdote related in Mr. Scott's Border Minstrelsy.
--W. W.