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To the Men of Kent➀
Vanguard of Liberty,ye men of Kent,
Ye children of a Soil that doth advance
Her haughty brow against the coast of France,
Now is the time to prove your hardiment!
To France be words of invitation sent!
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 wreath➁;
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!
➀肯特郡位于英格兰东南端,与法国海岸相距仅三十余公里。当时拿破仑正积极策划渡海入侵英国,肯特郡首当其冲。
➁这一行和下一行的“你们”指古代的肯特人。诺曼人是日耳曼人的一支,曾于10世纪在法国西北部建立公国,11世纪渡海进入英格兰,建立诺曼底王朝。据传说,当时肯特人并未被诺曼人征服,而是通过谈判,使诺曼人承认他们固有的权益。
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