O ye by wandering tempest sown 'Neath every alien star, Forget not whence the breath was blown That wafted you afar! For ye are still her ancient seed On younger soil let fall- Children of Britain's island-breed, To whom the Mother in her need Perchance may one day call.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The poet urges people not to forget their origins, reminding them they are ancient seeds that will grow on new soil.
- In plain terms
- Remember where you come from; you are rooted in ancient heritage.
- What can you take from it?
- Awareness of ancestry sustains identity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does remembering ancestry affect present choices?
- Can roots limit adaptation?
Another view
The metaphor may romanticize complex histories and ignore present challenges.
More from William Watson
April, April, Laugh thy girlish laughter; Then, the moment after, Weep thy girlish tears!
Permalink to quote #1 The after-silence, when the feast is o'er, And void the places where the minstrels stood, Differs in nought from what hath been before, And is nor ill nor good.
Permalink to quote #3 Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness-
Permalink to quote #4
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