321. Quantum Mutata by Oscar Wilde
b"O Wilde read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\\n\\nGiving voice to the poetry of the past.\\n\\n---------------------------------------------\\n\\nQuantum Mutata\\nby Oscar Wilde (1854 \\u2013 1900)\\n\\nThere was a time in Europe long ago\\nWhen no man died for freedom anywhere,\\nBut England's lion leaping from its lair\\nLaid hands on the oppressor! it was so\\nWhile England could a great Republic show.\\nWitness the men of Piedmont, chiefest care\\nOf Cromwell, when with impotent despair\\nThe Pontiff in his painted portico\\nTrembled before our stern ambassadors.\\nHow comes it then that from such high estate\\nWe have thus fallen, save that Luxury\\nWith barren merchandise piles up the gate\\nWhere noble thoughts and deeds should enter by:\\nElse might we still be Milton's heritors.\\n\\n\\nFirst aired: 15 August 2008\\n\\nFor hundreds more poetry readings, visit the Classic Poetry Aloud index.\\n\\nReading \\xa9 Classic Poetry Aloud 2008"