"
"How far we must answer for the sins of our forefathers," said L'Isle,
"is a nice question. We have some scriptural authority for asserting
that responsibility; and as there is no hereafter for nations, they
must be punished in this world, or not at all. I would be sorry to
bear my share of the penalty of all that immaculate England has
done. But I do not fear the fate of Spain for England:
'That royal throne of kings, that sceptred isle,
That earth of majesty, that seat of Mars,
That other Eden, demi-paradise;
That fortress, built by nature for herself,
Against infection, and the hand of war;
That happy breed of men, that little world;
That precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands.'
England against the world!" he exclaimed breaking off his quotation,
in his enthusiasm, and laying his hand on his sword.
"You are certainly a patriot," said Lady Mabel, "if any amount of
national prejudice can make patriotism. But yours is very like the
cockney's, who despised all the world, beyond the sound of Bow bells.
Pages:
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324