This Little Plot

GREAT men have been among us; hands that penned
And tongues that uttered wisdom–better none:
The later Sidney, Marvel, Harrington, Young Vane,
and others who called Milton friend.
These moralists could act and comprehend:
They knew how genuine glory was put on;
Taught us how rightfully nation shone
In splendour: what strength was, that would not bend
But in magnanimous meekness. France, ’tis [...]