Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79.

Dover

Lines

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

Composed in the Valley near Dover, on the Day of Landing

HERE, on our native soil, we breathe once more.

The cock that crows, the smoke that curls, that sound

Of bells;—those boys who in yon meadow-ground

In white-sleeved shirts are playing; and the roar

Of the waves breaking on the chalky shore;—

All, all are English. Oft have I looked round

With joy in Kent’s green vales; but never found

Myself so satisfied in heart before.

Europe is yet in bonds; but let that pass,

Thought for another moment. Thou art free,

My country! and ’t is joy enough and pride

For one hour’s perfect bliss, to tread the grass

Of England once again, and hear and see,

With such a dear companion at my side.